The National Energy System Operator (Neso) is facing intense scrutiny from regulators over delayed risk assessments and infrastructure concerns. Following a volatile heatwave in June 2024,questions have emerged regarding the operator's ability to maintain grid stability during the transition to renewable energy.
The 2019 blackout legacy and the 2028 planning delay
The 2019 blackout, which left one million people without power, remains a pivotal moment for UK energy reggulation. as the source reports, Neso was mandated to provide annual risk reports to Ofgem to prevent a recurrence of such failures. however, Ofgem has reportedly exempted Neso from submitting this year's report because the previous year's assessment was not completed on time.
Strategic planning for the nation's electricity supply has also faced significant setbacks. While Neso was expected to provide a 10-year electricity supply plan, Ofgem has replaced this requirement with strategic plans that are now not expected until 2028. Andrew Larkins, an energy consultant who has worked with Neso, suggseted these delays indicate the operator is struggling to meet the UK government's clean energy targets.
Fax machines and the 2027 technology phase-out
Neso's reliance on outdated technology has become a focal point for critics concerned about modern grid management. The report says the operator still utilizes inefficient communication systems, including fax machines, which are not scheduled to be phased out until 2027. This technological gap raises concerns about the operator's ability to manage a complex, high-speed energy transition.
Efforts to adjust grid stability standards have also met resistance. In 2025, Neso attempted to persuade Ofgem to lower grid stability standards, a move that Ofgem rejected following stakeholder consultations. Although Ofgem later allowed Neso to operate with reduced grid 'inertia' in March, the decision was met with opposition from three members of an expert panel.
Five breached safety limits during the June 2024 heatwave
The June 2024 heatwave exposed significant vulnerabilities in the British electricity infrastructure. During this period of extreme heat, wind turbines slowed, gas plants faltered, and French nuclear plants stopped exporting power to Britain, all while air conditioning caused electricity demand to surge. Confidential Neso reports revealed that five key safety limits were breached during this event, potentially compromising system security.
A leaked Cornwall Insight report, which was commissioned by Neso, warned that the rapid shift toward net-zero could exacerbate these risks. According to the report, the integration of renewable sources like wind and solar makes forecasting more complex and could lead to higher electricity bills and increased blackout risks due to reduced visibility of supply and demand.
The investigation into Neso's corporate affairs interference
Ofgem has launched an investigation into claims that Neso downplayed the severity of the June 2024 heatwave.. Whistleblowers have accused the operator of failing to follow established protocols to prevent blackouts and have suggested that Neso's corporate affairs team intervened in the crisis response. This raises critical questions about whether technical safety decisions are being influenced by corporate reputation management.
Several fundamental questions remain regarding the operator's competence in a modernizing market. It is currently unverified whether Neso's corporate affairs team actively meddled in technical crisis protocols, and whether the operator is truly functioning without a clear understanding of the modern energy system. While the UK government maintains that its electricity system is among the world's most reliable, these allegations suggest a growing gap between official claims and operational reality.
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