National Energy System Operator gains power to implement rolling blackouts

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has implemented new regulatory changes that allow for the initiation of rolling blackouts across designated areas in Great Britain. These measures serve as a final safeguard to prevent total electricity system failure.

Under the updated grid code rules, NESO can disconnect enough homes and businesses to reduce electricity use by more than 20 percent in affected regions. These planned blackouts are intended to last up to three hours and will rotate across the country. The protocol requires only eight hours of advance notice, allowing for a rapid response to sudden supply shortages, such as during extreme cold weather.

This new framework addresses a gap between existing limited powers and the government’s formal emergency electricity code. While the government’s code requires ministerial approval and is designed for prolonged national crises, the NESO protocol can be activated without political approval to manage brief supply squeezes. Certain critical facilities, including hospitals, water treatment plants, and national security sites, are exempt from these planned disconnections.