UK issues and lifts power alert: Diesel hits record high, rationing continues under contingency measures
The government keeps a contingency plan on the books for a widespread, severe oil shortage. If activated, it would prioritize fuel for emergency services and public transport, bulk diesel for food and health care, a per-visit purchase cap and a temporary 50 mph speed limit.
A Texaco gas station in Derby, England
The British grid operator, the National Energy System Operator (NESO), issued a reserve margin notice on Monday for the afternoon of Sept. 28, in response to a temporary shortfall of 1.4 GW, and withdrew it in the afternoon once the market had covered the gap. There were no outages.
Meanwhile, the government has not activated the National Emergency Plan for Fuels (NEP‑F): there is no diesel rationing or mandatory conservation measures, only contingency plans on the table in case supply deteriorates severely.
Temporary power deficit: 1.4 GW, notice now canceled
The NESO reported an estimated 1.4 GW shortfall in the reserve margin starting at 4 p.m. in Great Britain and activated an Electricity Margin Notice (EMN), the standard mechanism for requesting additional capacity from generators and neighboring systems and for exploring demand-reduction measures. The notice covered Monday afternoon.
The operator emphasized that this was a preventive measure and that there was "no risk to customers' electricity supply" or to system security. By noon, the projected shortfall had been reduced to about 104 MW, and by approximately 3:58 p.m., the NESO canceled the EMN after restoring the operating margin.
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Diesel: Record High of 199.18 pence per liter ($10 per gallon)
The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has kept the NEP-F in effect only in the event of a widespread and severe oil shortage. It prioritizes emergencies and public transportation, bulk diesel for food and healthcare, a purchase limit per visit, and a temporary speed limit of 50 miles per hour.
A DESNZ spokesperson has repeatedly emphasized that the United Kingdom has a "diverse and resilient" supply and that the powers under the Energy Act 1976 are reserved for the most severe disruptions.
The average price of diesel has already surpassed its all-time high. According to the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), it stands at 199.18 pence per liter (roughly $10 per gallon) this Monday, beating the previous high of 199.09 pence in June 2022. The RAC warns that the price hike, linked to tensions in the energy markets, continues to put pressure on drivers and the logistics sector.
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