The National Grid has asked industrial users to switch to back-up power for the first time ever after multiple power plant failures left it short of supply. It will pay any company that agrees to do so — the first time such a “demand-side reduction” has ever been used. Unfortunately wind is only generating 0.59% of supply today…

The fact is that the supply / demand equation is too tight because old coal power stations have gone offline too soon. The lights have not gone off yet, though it could happen soon. Greens have held up new supply from coming online from conventional and nuclear sources…