By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-14 19:30:53 | Updated at 2026-10-15 22:02:35
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Lessons will be learned from an "unprecedented" summer that whistleblowers claim left the energy system at risk of blackouts, the head of the grid operator has said.
Fintan Slye, the chief executive of the National Energy System Operator (Neso), said that sweltering temperatures had created "really challenging" conditions.
Neso was faced with managing the strain on the grid as high temperatures caused a drop in renewable energy efficiency while demand surged due to factors such as increased air-con use.
But Mr Slye said that no customers lost power and that frequency, an essential element of the grid running securely, had remained within statutory limits.
He said he believed the system would become more resilient after a review of the episode has been completed.
In summer, Claire Coutinho, then shadow energy secretary, told Parliament that she had been approached by Neso whistleblowers with a range of complaints.
They alleged that grid-security standards designed to prevent blackouts had been breached, with senior officials attempting to conceal records of operational decisions.
It was claimed that the grid fell below safe operating limits for "multiple periods" on June 23.
It was also claimed the corporate affairs team at Neso "interfered in operational decisions" on June 23 in a bid to protect the organisation’s reputation.
Neso has brought in independent investigators to look into the allegations.
Regulator Ofgem is also carrying out a review of that period.
"Despite unprecedented weather conditions across Great Britain and Europe in June, the GB electricity system remained secure and no customers were disconnected,” Neso has said.
Mr Slye was questioned about the episode as he spoke at the Energy UK conference in central London.
Asked if the blistering temperatures had caught the grid off-guard, he replied: "There’s a review into the system through that period of extreme heat.
"I think that this was absolutely a summer of unprecedented and extreme heat, in particular that week at the end of June. It was really, really extreme.
"I’m sure coming out of the review there will be lessons to be learned in ways we can think about improving the resilience of the energy system."
He went on: "What I would say is through that period no customer was disconnected and frequency stayed within the statutory limits.
"But, undoubtedly, this was a really challenging period, across Europe.
"The control room and the teams did an absolutely superb job handling what was a difficult situation.
"It was a really challenging period and I’m sure stuff will come out that will make the system more resilient as we look towards the future."
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