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Wales Online
Wales Online
Naomi Corrigan

Wargaming for 'winter disaster' on energy supplies - but what is Exercise Degree?

A drill to test the UK's response to a gas supply emergency has been scaled up. The National Grid drill takes place annually but has been extended this year as industry insiders predict a potential energy crisis.

The Exercise Degree is a routine part of the energy industry calendar. This year, potential scenarios such as rationing electricity, will be wargamed across four days rather than the usual two.

This is despite the government insisting households will not face blackouts this winter. A global squeeze on the supply of gas since late last year has increased living costs, and sent household energy bills skyrocketing.

If an emergency is declared National Grid has the power to request additional gas supplies or to require consumers – starting with the largest industrial customers – to stop using gas.

This year's exercise will take place on September 13 and 14 then on October 4 and 5. Last year's “Exercise Celsius” took place across two days in September.

It comes after the BBC reported how the UK’s business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, had not sought any advice from government officials on the possibility of rationing energy before the end of June. Number 10 insisted there is no need to panic and there will not be blackouts thanks to supplies from Australia.

What is the Exercise Degree?

Gas suppliers and National Grid are bound by law to prepare for a network gas supply emergency. The National Grid exercise simulates scenarios in which a loss of gas supply triggers an emergency situation for the UK's energy system.

The aim is to demonstrate that the gas industry is prepared and able to meet its obligations in the event of a Network Gas Supply Emergency (NGSE). It is basically to stress test the UK's plans for a gas supply emergency and involves government agencies, regulators, lobby groups and major energy firms.

It will include input from the Government, regulators and major energy companies. It has taken place for the past 26 years with the aim of ensuring power supply will not suffer if there is a national or international emergency.

It is understood to have been extended this year from the usual two days as a result of a number of issues including the war in Ukraine with concerns Russia could halt gas supplied to Europe after the West sanctioned it following its invasion of Ukraine.

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