Energy companies back National Grid blackout planning

E.ON and SSE endorse planning by National Grid as UK heads into potentially tough winter which could challenge stability of gas and power supplies

Energy companies E.ON and SSE have given their support to the National Grid, after it pledged to secure sufficient power supply to avoid blackouts over what some forecasters predict will be one of the most severe winters ever recorded.

"We'll continue to diversify our investment in new and existing plant as we firmly believe that it's important to have a broad range of generation assets as we move to lower carbon technologies. Our efforts are helping the UK to maintain the necessary generation mix so that the country can have secure energy, affordable energy and sustainable energy in the long term," E.ON's UK chief executive, Tony Cocker, said.