David Watson

We spent a record £561m balancing the power grid in October, the second record month in a row.

Balancing costs this autumn have passed £1bn, and NESO forecasts put 2026 close to £4bn.

There are two things are driving it 🧵

The CMA has upheld the gas networks’ appeal over their allowed revenues for the next five years, reversing the provisional view it published in August when it rejected every ground.

Such a change of heart is unusual.

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Whilst it's sensible to only build what we can use, vetoing new wind and solar that would not be able to connect effectively means the end to Clean Power 2030.

Increasing the pace at which we build grid capacity is critical.

buff.ly/pyq2WxX

Who should pay for the costs of the gas network as demand falls?

The Government have issued a call for evidence on the topic, with views requested by 23rd December.

Some thoughts 🧵

In the face of some horrendous hatred and vitriol on this platform, this account is single-handedly making my experience a happier one.

My usual thoughts on energy will resume, but I really wanted to share this and share the happiness 👇