A System Alert (Amber Alert) will be issued by SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland), Northern Ireland’s electricity Transmission System Operator, at 22:00 on Saturday 31 August 2024 due to generator outages. The Alert is expected to remain in place until further notice.  

However, if the anticipated portfolio of generation remains available, we do not expect any impact on users of electricity.

During this period, the grid will be operating with fewer large, conventional generators on the system than normal. This means we will be managing the grid outside of normal operating standards.

Our expert engineers are closely monitoring the situation, working with conventional generators and demand-side resources to maximise their availability to the grid. 

When SONI issues a System Alert there is no immediate impact for users of electricity. Instead, a System Alert warns of a heightened risk for potential temporary electricity supply issues in the near future, so that our expert engineers and those across the electricity sector can take pre-planned actions to protect the integrity of the grid. It is a signal for all generators of electricity to make their power plants available for use and not to put their units at any risk of further breakdowns or operational challenges.

As the System Operator, SONI does not generate or sell electricity. We operate the grid with the electricity made available to it by the generators who have secured contracts to do so through the market.

We will communicate promptly should there be any significant changes to the status of the power system.

Information on the relevant outages can be found here.

For more information on Grid Alerts, visit Grid Alerts Explained (soni.ltd.uk).