The electricity margin is expected to be 4 per cent this winter, it lowest level for seven years, National Grid has reported.

Plants will be on standby in Kent, Scotland and Hertfordshire to provide extra electricity's it is needed.

Cordi O’Hara, National Grid’s director of market operations, said: "It's clear the country has the ability to meet its energy needs in a cold winter. But we cannot be complacent and will be monitoring the situation right through to spring next year.

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"The electricity margin has decreased compared to recent years, but the outlook remains manageable and well within the reliability standard set by government.

"We have taken the sensible precaution to secure additional tools to bolster our response to tighter margins. We will continue to keep a close watching brief across both electricity and gas throughout the winter so that we’re strongly placed to respond to any unanticipated events."

(CD/IT)