NESO Investigation Finds Culture Issues and High Stress in UK Electricity Control Room

Independent investigators found high levels of stress and concern among staff at NESO’s National Electricity Control Center about the state of the energy industry and its ability to maintain the electricity system’s balance over the long term.

Control room staff raised concerns about renewable energy

Law firm Evershed Sutherland, which carried out the investigation, said staff viewed traditional electricity generation methods such as gas as “easier to manage” than renewables.

According to evidence gathered from employees, renewable energy was seen as “less flexible”, making it more difficult to ensure electricity supply matched demand.

The investigation also identified a “significant disconnect” between staff working in the control room and NESO’s leadership.

Multiple witnesses told Evershed that senior leaders and executives “do not fully appreciate or understand the workings of control rooms and the reality of the pressures faced by those on the front lines who are responsible for ‘keeping the lights on.’”

Whistleblower allegations were not substantiated

The investigation began after Conservative shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said in July that a whistleblower had contacted her, claiming NESO was “withholding information about how safely our electricity grid is operating”.

One allegation was that control room staff had been encouraged to hide or falsify records to avoid creating a paper trail linked to efforts to stabilize the power grid during the June heatwave.

The whistleblower claimed this was done to avoid public scrutiny and reputational damage for the government-owned NESO.

Evershed said its investigation did not substantiate any of the allegations. However, it identified “culture, governance and management issues”, which the law firm described as “an important finding in its own right.”

NESO promises action on workplace concerns

NESO chief executive Fintan Sly said the investigation had identified “areas where we can improve how colleagues raise concerns and how we respond to them”.

“I want all my colleagues at NESO to feel heard. We will act on recommendations, working closely with trade unions, and be open with colleagues about our progress,” he added.