Britain’s electricity grid operator, the National Energy System Operator (Neso), has repeatedly failed to meet reporting obligations and update critical systems, raising concerns over the management of grid stability and preparedness for future risks. These shortcomings come amid a broader push to transition the country’s power network toward clean energy.
Since a major blackout in 2019 that left one million customers without power, Neso has been required to submit an annual risk report to the energy regulator, Ofgem, detailing potential high-risk events and planning measures. However, the operator missed deadlines for the 2024 and 2025 reports, prompting Ofgem to suspend the reporting requirement for 2026 due to time constraints before the next report is expected in 2027.
Neso’s attempts to revise the grid’s stability standards have also faced scrutiny. The operator initially proposed lowering requirements for system “inertia,” a technical measure marking network stability, but the energy regulator rejected this move after consultation with industry stakeholders showed only limited support. A subsequent proposal resubmitted in March gained conditional approval despite opposition from nearly half of Neso’s expert panel. This decision permits the grid to operate with reduced inertia levels, a change that experts warn could impact reliability.
Beyond reporting delays, Neso remains reliant on outdated communication technology, including fax machines, which are slated for phase-out only after January 2027. Additionally, the operator failed to deliver a required ten-year statement on electricity supply, missing two deadlines. Although Ofgem plans to replace this statement with new strategic plans, the revised documentation has been delayed until late 2028, a timeframe critics say leaves insufficient margin before the government’s 2030 goal of predominantly clean electricity generation.
Energy consultant Andrew Larkins highlighted the operational impact, noting that many industry players depend on these long-term statements to plan connections for new power stations. He characterized the delays as indicative of Neso struggling to keep pace with the clean energy transition. Larkins also pointed out that some key proposals from Neso’s 2024 frequency risk control report—such as adopting “aviation-style near-miss reports” to analyze unusual incidents—have yet to be implemented, although such measures could help prevent issues like those seen on June 23, when the grid repeatedly breached safety thresholds.
Independent electricity market expert Paul Sotkiewicz raised questions about Neso’s response to the June 23 event, noting from an internal report that the operator did not follow established protocols to ration electricity. This decision, he said, was unusual given the risk of uncontrolled blackouts.
Political scrutiny intensified after Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, reported that whistleblowers alleged interference by Neso’s corporate affairs team during the incident’s management. Ofgem confirmed it is conducting a review and assured that lessons would be learned but declined to comment on Neso’s regulatory compliance history.
Neso defended its record, stating that claims regarding a failure to heed important security recommendations were unfounded. Meanwhile, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero expressed confidence in current supply security measures and affirmed that Neso is equipped with the necessary tools to manage the system.