The timing couldn’t have been worse. Under leaden November skies, came news of what many have suspected: energy rationing for British households could be officially on the cards.

The NESO-Miliband plan for a low-carbon future is going to involve a lot more than just waiting a while for a cup of tea

The bearer of these tidings is the National Energy System Operator (NESO), the UK’s new energy systems operator which began work last month.