Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has written to the UK Energy Secretary Amber Rudd following a market notification of a shortfall in reserve capacity from National Grid.

It is understood Mr Ewing asked for 'urgent changes' to the UK Government's policies and sought reassurances that energy security issues are being properly considered.

The shortfall in reserve energy capacity resulted in calls for the industry to reduce its power consumption.

The Energy Minister is concerned that UK electricity capacity margins are 'worryingly low' and the UK government's energy policies are making the situation worse.

The UK Government is now being asked to change its policy direction, ensuring faster build of new power capacity including renewable energy in combination with increased storage capacity as well as carbon capture technology for thermal generation.

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Mr Ewing said: "National Grid issuing an urgent request for more electricity shows it is becoming even harder pressed to keep the lights on this winter and highlights the complacency of the UK Government's energy policy.

"The Scottish Government have warned the UK Government - repeatedly and at the highest levels - of the consequences of declining capacity margins, both face to face and in letters from the First Minister to the Prime Minister. These warnings have been ignored and advice rebuffed, despite mounting evidence of a problem.

"The fact that National Grid were forced to pay £2,500 per megawatt hour earlier this week compared with the typical price at that time of about £60 shows how worrying this situation has become.

"The situation of narrowing GB capacity margins will only be exacerbated when Longannet closes prematurely next year due to unfair transmission charges.

"Scotland is an energy rich country and is the ideal base for the development of a range of technologies which could alleviate the situation, including wind energy, carbon capture and storage and pumped storage hydro. But this will require movement on policy from the UK Government to encourage increasing energy system flexibility, security, and sustainability."

(LM/CD)