The Peter McCormack Show #149 - Kathryn Porter - Energy is Civilisation: Why Power Matters
29 snips
Feb 19, 2026 
Kathryn Porter, energy analyst focused on electricity systems and grid security, warns energy is civilisation. She outlines risks of ageing gas plants, looming rationing and rolling blackouts, governance and regulatory failures, and why nuclear timelines and supply chains matter. Short, urgent takes on what a blackout would look like and immediate steps to reduce systemic risk.
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High Probability Of Rationing
- Porter estimates a 65–85% probability of rationing by 2030 based on likely losses of ageing gas plants.
- She wants funding to analyse outage reporting to build a rigorous reliability picture.
January 2025 Near-Miss
- Porter describes the January 8, 2025 near-miss where forecasting and reserve choices nearly caused failure.
- Pumped hydro maintenance, misjudged wind, and reserve units running reduced real available capacity.
Fragmented Responsibility
- No single UK institution currently holds clear accountability for security of supply.
- Porter argues market rules haven't kept pace with industry changes since 2001.