7. Energy - drought risks, impacts and actions: Drought prospects for spring 2026
Published 14 November 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
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The impact of drought on the energy sector is site specific and depends on the technology being used and the abstraction licence conditions. Power stations may use water in the process of making energy as well as cooling.
7.1 Actions by energy companies to reduce the impacts of a dry winter and drought in spring 2026
Each company manages its own water risks. Where energy generating sites are reliant on water, energy companies will need to monitor and forecast river flows to inform how they will operate. For example, during periods of low river flow, sites may experience lower water quality which require more management action, which may include chemical dosing.
Sites may need to consider the temperatures associated with warmer weather which can impact the discharge water temperature from a tower cooled station. Sites may need to take action to ensure they operate within discharge limits.
We will ask the energy industry to conduct a review of the drought risks for 2026.