A new report into the global production and consumption of electricity predicted that weather conditions will play an increasingly disruptive role in energy generation across the world as the effort to shift to green energy intensifies, according to Breitbart News.
The report, which the International Energy Agency (IEA’s) published on Wednesday, stated that while low-carbon emitting energy sources are expected to grow, their growth is dependent on weather conditions.
The IEA warned that extreme weather conditions, such as freezing temperatures and droughts, could have a negative impact on green power generation and the global energy supply security by extension.
“Power systems faced challenges in multiple regions in 2022 due to extreme weather events,” the report reads. “A historic drought in Europe resulted in low hydropower output, putting increased pressure on dispatchable capacities amid record-low nuclear generation in France. In the United States, winter storms caused widespread power outages.”
The IEA report revealed that weather conditions, alongside global economic developments, could change the trends in electricity demand and fossil-fired generation. The trend change could negatively impact low-carbon generation sources, which are expected to meet over 90% of the additional electricity demand over the next three years.
Britons were paid to not use electricity this afternoon and the same will happen again tomorrow, the National Grid sayshttps://t.co/OzIxifzFnE
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) January 23, 2023
The report comes after energy shortages in the United Kingdom forced the National Grid to bring back mothballed coal plants to meet the electricity demands in January.
Britons were paid to not use electricity this afternoon and the same will happen again tomorrow, the National Grid sayshttps://t.co/OzIxifzFnE
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) January 23, 2023
The shortage was so severe that families across the U.K. were offered money not to use energy for fear that the grid might collapse if demand exceeds supply. Families were offered up to £20 ($24.76) to reduce their electricity usage between 5 pm and 6 pm on Jan. 23.
Our forecasts show electricity supply margins are expected to be tighter than normal on Monday evening. We have instructed coal-fired power units to be available to increase electricity supplies should it be needed tomorrow evening.
— National Grid ESO (@NationalGridESO) January 22, 2023
According to Breitbart News, the shortages came after a combination of freezing temperatures, short days and little wind struck the U.K.’s green energy production. Three coal-fired power plants in the country were ordered to make themselves ready to meet the electricity shortage.
