Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what (a) risk assessment and (b) contingency plan his Department has produced for the National Grid in the event of a national blackout, in the context of the situation in Spain and Portugal in April 2025.

Great Britain has a highly resilient energy system, and a total failure of power supplies is assessed in the National Risk Register as a high impact but low likelihood event. In its 75-year history, the National Electricity Transmission System has never experienced a complete shutdown.

As a responsible Government we prepare for all eventualities and work closely with industry to prepare for and exercise robust contingency plans. This includes the National Electricity System Operator’s established plans to restore the energy system in the event of a National Power Outage as set out in the Electricity System Restoration Standard.