An independent inquiry into Britain’s National Energy System Operator (NESO) found that some control-room staff felt leaders overlooked their concerns, prompting recommendations to improve how the grid operator responds to warnings.
The Oct. 19 report by Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP drew on interviews with 36 witnesses across NESO. Investigators cautioned that their findings about workplace culture reflected the experiences of a limited group of staff.
Several witnesses described a divide between executives and the people managing the electricity system. Some said concerns they raised drew little visible response; others felt leaders did not grasp the pressures of keeping supply and demand in balance. Investigators linked that perception to staff taking concerns outside NESO.
The inquiry followed whistleblower allegations relayed by Conservative MP Claire Coutinho about record handling and possible Corporate Affairs influence on operational decisions during a June heatwave. Eversheds found no evidence that control-room staff were ordered to hide records and said the evidence did not substantiate the allegations.
The firm found no evidence of direct Corporate Affairs interference in control-room decisions. One witness described a possible indirect route for influence, but investigators could not corroborate it. They did identify gaps in electronic version histories and inconsistencies in logging practices.
Eversheds made seven recommendations for NESO’s board to consider. They included tracking staff concerns, acknowledging them and reporting back within a defined period, as well as improving version controls and logs. The report also proposed that an authorized control-room operative review and approve external communications about technical operations before publication.
NESO said it accepted the recommendations and is developing an implementation plan under board oversight. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), Britain’s energy regulator, is separately examining grid operations during the June heatwave, including whether the electricity system remained secure.
Ofgem said it has made no regulatory judgment at this stage. It aims to publish its conclusions on grid security by Jan. 31, 2027, and lessons from the events by March 31.
