Written question asked by Laurence Robertson (Conservative) on Monday, 15 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 March 2004. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Thursday, 18 March 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions she has had with National Grid Transco about the level of spare capacity on Wednesday 10th March between 19.00 and 19.30; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with National Grid Transco about the level of spare capacity on 10 March between 19.00 and 19.30; and if she will make a statement. [162203] Mr. Timms: DTI receives system notices from NGC as a matter of course. The system notice issued by NGC on the morning of 10 March was a NISM--Notice of Insufficient System Margin. NISMs are part of normal operations and are issued to signal to the market that additional reserve is desirable. The market responded to the 10 March NISM by making available additional generation capacity. NGC confirmed to DTI officials that a NISM had been issued, and provided updates during the day as the situation improved until the NISM was cancelled.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 419 c501W;419 c503W; 162203
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Electricity generation Energy supply Electricity Reserves National Grid Transco
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk