A whistleblower has warned that power cuts in Britain are only "a matter of time" unless energy bosses make urgent changes at the National Energy System Operator (Neso). The anonymous source alleged that inadequate computer systems, including paper-based forecasting, are putting the electrical grid at risk.
Allegations of outdated systems and wasted money
The whistleblower claimed that staff in the Neso control room use pen and paper to forecast electricity demand, and that the operator's Open Balancing Platform (OBP) is wasting public money. The digital control system, which manages the electrical grid, allegedly offers poor network visibility and can overlook cheaper energy stored in batteries when transmitting power.
The warning follows multiple whistleblowers raising concerns about improper conduct at Neso during the June heatwave. They told shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho that the operator "failed to meet the grid standards put in place to prevent blackouts".
Interference and lack of audit trail
Whistleblowers also alleged that Neso's corporate affairs team "interfered with operational decisions" and that "operational decisions were being recorded in live documents with no audit trail".
Energy watchdog Ofgem launched an investigation into the allegations in July. The latest whistleblower said the investigation will likely conclude that the system is secure but "doesn't tell the whole story".
Concerns over data and interconnectors
Speaking to The Times, the whistleblower said: "We were right on the limit and I don't think there's any harm in coming out and saying that. But for some reason, the execs came out right away and said, 'We're completely secure.'"
"For the investigation, we remodelled what happened that day but I question what we put into the models," they added. "The data that was used - i.e. what energy was available that day - was optimistic. We are banking on help from interconnectors to Europe but in reality we cannot rely on that."
The whistleblower warned that it is "sadly just a matter of time before we have a partial blackout" and that senior management "don't seem to be listening" and "care more about the image than the system".
Neso and Ofgem respond
Neso has denied claims that employee concerns are routinely ignored, that power cuts are just "a matter of time" and the allegations of a reliance on paper-based forecasting and the OBP failing to utilise cheaper energy.
A spokesperson for the operator told the Daily Mail: "We take all allegations extremely seriously but no findings or conclusions of the independent review have been published, so speculation about its outcome should not be presented as fact.
"Neso does not accept the suggestion that employees' operational concerns are routinely ignored. Our forecasting accuracy is regulated and publicly reported, and claims that the Open Balancing Platform routinely overlooks cheaper assets are wrong."
A spokesperson for Ofgem added: "We take the allegations about the operation of the electricity system during the June heatwave, and the associated whistleblowing concerns, extremely seriously.
"We are undertaking a review of how the system was managed during this period to establish whether Neso complied with regulations, and what lessons can be learnt to improve system security for the future.
"Alongside this, an independent investigation will examine the whistleblowing allegations relating to operational decision-making and record-keeping during this period.
"Both reviews will be conducted thoroughly, objectively and transparently. We won't hesitate to act should we need to, and ensure lessons are learned and any improvements are made."
