World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Inquiry finds no evidence of blackout-risk cover-up at Britain’s grid operator
An independent inquiry found no evidence that staff at Britain’s grid operator covered up blackout risks during the June heatwave.
The allegations concerned the National Energy System Operator, or Neso, which runs Great Britain’s electricity system.
Whistleblowers had claimed that staff were pressured to hide records and that company officials interfered with control room decisions.
The inquiry did not substantiate those claims, but found high stress and concerns going unheard among control room staff facing pressure to keep the system balanced.
It also found that some staff believed senior managers did not understand the demands of their work as the electricity system changes to include more renewable power.
Neso says it will act on the inquiry’s recommendations, while regulator Ofgem is conducting a separate investigation into whether workplace issues affected system security, decisions or consumer costs.
Ofgem’s findings are due by 31 March 2027 and could lead to enforcement action.
An independent investigation found no evidence that staff at Britain’s National Energy System Operator (Neso) covered up blackout risks or improperly influenced control room decisions.
The investigation did identify significant cultural, governance and control issues at the grid operator.
It found high levels of stress among control room staff and concerns that senior managers did not understand the pressures they faced.
Neso said it would act on the report’s recommendations.
A separate Ofgem investigation into whether the identified issues affected operational decisions, system security or consumer costs is ongoing.
- Who
- The National Energy System Operator (Neso) and its control room staff were the subject of the investigation.
- What
- An independent investigation found no evidence to substantiate allegations of a cover-up or inappropriate influence over operational decisions, but identified cultural, governance and control issues.
- When
- The investigation followed events during the June 2026 heatwave. Its findings were published on 19 October 2026.
- Where
- Great Britain’s electricity grid and Neso’s national control centre.
- Why
- Whistleblowers alleged that staff were concealing blackout risks and that corporate affairs staff interfered in operational decisions. The investigation examined those allegations.
Neso whistleblowers
Neso and the independent investigation
Cover-up allegation
Neso whistleblowers
Whistleblowers alleged that staff were encouraged to conceal or alter records to avoid scrutiny of blackout risks.
Neso and the independent investigation
The investigation found no evidence substantiating the allegations or of inappropriate record keeping.
Influence over operations
Neso whistleblowers
Whistleblowers alleged that corporate affairs staff interfered with control room decisions to protect Neso’s reputation.
Neso and the independent investigation
Witnesses denied direct interference, and the investigation found no evidence of inappropriate influence over operational decisions.
The allegations concerned efforts to stabilise the grid during a period of extreme heat.
Former shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said whistleblowers had approached her with concerns about grid security and blackout risks.
The independent investigation’s findings were published, reporting no evidence to substantiate the allegations but identifying cultural, governance and control issues.
Ofgem’s separate findings are due to be published no later than this date.
- Investigator
- Eversheds Sutherland
- Witnesses interviewed
- 36
- Grid operator
- National Energy System Operator (Neso)
- Heatwave period cited in allegations
- June 22–26, 2026
- Ofgem findings due
- No later than 31 March 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
I want all colleagues at Neso to feel heard. We will act on the recommendations, working closely with our trade unions, and be open with colleagues about the progress we make,
The investigation’s findings are clear that there was no evidence to substantiate any of the allegations around inappropriate influence over decision making or inappropriate record keeping processes.
important and concerning issues about working culture and practices at Neso
The independent investigation shows none of the allegations can be substantiated by the evidence and Ofgem’s report shows the system continued to operate and customer demand was met throughout the summer.