The independent inquiry into Britain’s electricity control room, published on Monday, cleared the National Energy System Operator (Neso) of the most serious accusation against it, that executives had covered up blackout risks. But the review by the law firm Evershed Sutherlands found “cultural, governance and control issues” at the operational heart of the grid, which it described as “significant findings in their own right”.
The inquiry ran for three months after whistleblowers inside Neso alleged a cover-up over the growing risk of blackouts. They claimed the grid was becoming increasingly unmanageable and that control room decisions were subject to “interference” from the company’s corporate affairs team, which they said acted to protect the reputation of the government-owned operator. The revolt inside the control room included multiple internal complaints, the leak of internal documents to the press, and accusations of whistleblower intimidation.
Neso initially planned to investigate the claims internally but abandoned that approach in favour of an independent review. Evershed Sutherlands concluded there was “no evidence” of inappropriate influence over operational decisions, and none that control room engineers were warned against leaving a paper trail of their efforts to stabilise the grid.
The operational backdrop was the June heatwave. Grid frequency fell below normal operating limits on a number of occasions, and emergency assistance from neighbouring countries was needed to keep the lights on. Near-record temperatures drove a surge in electricity demand for air-conditioning, while a high pressure heat dome slowed wind turbines and prompted unplanned outages at gas and nuclear plants across Europe.
The inquiry found “high levels of stress and concern” within the control room over how staff would keep the power system balanced as renewable energy replaces legacy fossil fuel plants in line with the government’s net zero ambitions. Engineers responsible for keeping the lights on, “on the frontline” according to the report, held the view that senior Neso executives did not fully appreciate or understand the pressures they faced. Staff also felt their concerns and complaints went “largely unheard” because of the need to keep external stakeholders, including the government and regulators, happy.
Tim Jarvis, chief executive of the regulator Ofgem, said the investigation did not uphold the whistleblower’s specific allegations but raised “important and concerning issues about working culture and practices at Neso”. A separate Ofgem investigation, still ongoing, will examine whether the cultural issues identified by Eversheds played a role in operational decision-making, system security, or in raising energy costs for consumers. “We will not prejudge that assessment,” Jarvis said. “But nor will we shy away from its conclusions. Our job is to establish the facts, identify the lessons and ensure action is taken.” The regulator’s findings are due no later than 31 March 2027 and could trigger an enforcement investigation if Ofgem believes Neso has not complied with its obligations under market rules.
Meanwhile, Fintan Slye, Neso’s chief executive, described the report as “constructive” in identifying areas where the grid operator could improve how staff raise concerns and how those concerns are handled. “I want all colleagues at Neso to feel heard. We will act on the recommendations, working closely with our trade unions, and be open with colleagues about the progress we make,” he said.
Michael Shanks, the minister for energy, said the government expected “significant action without delay” and would “keep progress under close review”. For an operator whose core job is balancing the electricity system hour by hour, the open question is whether the fixes to how control room concerns are handled arrive before the next stress event tests the grid.