Consumers urged to use more electricity to balance summer power surplus

14 April 2026

Britain’s electricity system is expected to generate more power than it needs this summer, driven by strong growth in renewable energy and lower seasonal demand.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) said supplies would remain secure throughout 2026, but warned that managing excess electricity would become an increasing challenge. Higher output from solar panels and expanding wind capacity are expected to outstrip demand at times, particularly during sunnier periods.

The shift reflects a longer-term change in the energy system, as renewable sources replace fossil fuels and introduce greater variability into supply. Instead of focusing primarily on ensuring enough generation, the system is increasingly geared towards balancing periods of surplus.

To address this, NESO is expanding its demand flexibility service, which allows households and businesses to be paid to increase electricity use when supply is high. Consumers may be encouraged to run appliances, charge electric vehicles or operate machinery during these periods to help absorb excess energy.

The scheme builds on earlier efforts introduced in winter 2022, when users were incentivised to reduce consumption during potential shortages. The new approach reverses that model, using financial incentives to raise demand when needed.

NESO said this would help reduce the need to curtail renewable generation, such as paying wind farms to switch off when output cannot be used. Encouraging consumption at the right times could offer a more cost-effective solution.

Dr Deborah Petterson, NESO’s director of resilience and emergency management, says:

“Tools such as the Demand Flexibility Service not only reward consumers and businesses for flexible electricity use but also strengthen the resilience and efficiency of Great Britain’s electricity network.”

The growth of solar power presents particular challenges, as some generation comes from rooftop panels not directly visible to the transmission network. This can make it harder to predict supply and manage fluctuations.

Electricity demand on the transmission system could fall below previous record lows this summer, partly due to increased local generation. While market pricing may encourage higher usage during periods of oversupply, Neso said additional intervention may still be required.

The operator retains measures to stabilise the system if needed, including issuing market notices to prompt action from generators and flexibility providers. However, the emphasis is shifting towards earlier and more active demand management.