LONDON, UK - The UK National Grid needs further investment if it is to operate effectively and without power cuts while more renewables are incorporated into the domestic energy mix, according to the GMB Union.

The warning from the union comes after three energy firms were fined a total of $13.7 million by The UK energy regulator Ofgem last week in relation to severe power outages last August which caused disruption after lightning took two electricity generators offline.

The GMB has called for investment and partial nationalization of the National Grid to help it handle such incidents more readily.

Ofgem executive director Jonathan Brearly said the regulator has raised important questions about National Grid's Electricity System Operator (ESO) and will look at the structure and governance of the company.

Following the power outages at question, the UK government commissioned its own report into the blackouts and has since announced plans to strengthen the national power infrastructure -- including a "review of the pros and cons" of requiring the ESO to hold additional back-up generation.

Source: NS Energy