Electrical outages. cyber attacks ?

Forgive me for highlighting my ignorance on all things higher than 400V 3 phase here, but I am trying to comprehend exactly what this interconnector thing is all about and how it is utilized.

We have cables connecting us with the continent, through  which energy can flow in both directions.

The Times article says that these interconnectors are of no use during periods of heavy demand and are switched out of use to prevent damage, so what is the point of having them if we cannot pull more energy from continental sources when our own generating capacity/demand is at full stretch? Surely that would have been the original idea of having them? To provide extra headroom during peak demand in the UK?

If I have this correct, then why are they seemingly not fit for purpose? And more to the point, why is NG building more of them?

I'm thinking of the analogy  whereby if you are pulling a load in excess of that being capable of being provided by your existing set-up, then you just switch in another 'generator'.

Yet, it appears that this is not what the interconnectors are really there for because they do not appear to be up to the job of carrying any extra capacity to help us prevent 'black-out's.

It would appear to the layman like myself, that they only serve as a vehicle by which electricity is traded, rather than serving to provide any useful backup in an emergency situation.

Forgive me for highlighting my ignorance on all things higher than 400V 3 phase here, but I am trying to comprehend exactly what this interconnector thing is all about and how it is utilized.

We have cables connecting us with the continent, through  which energy can flow in both directions.

The Times article says that these interconnectors are of no use during periods of heavy demand and are switched out of use to prevent damage, so what is the point of having them if we cannot pull more energy from continental sources when our own generating capacity/demand is at full stretch? Surely that would have been the original idea of having them? To provide extra headroom during peak demand in the UK?

If I have this correct, then why are they seemingly not fit for purpose? And more to the point, why is NG building more of them?

I'm thinking of the analogy  whereby if you are pulling a load in excess of that being capable of being provided by your existing set-up, then you just switch in another 'generator'.

Yet, it appears that this is not what the interconnectors are really there for because they do not appear to be up to the job of carrying any extra capacity to help us prevent 'black-out's.

It would appear to the layman like myself, that they only serve as a vehicle by which electricity is traded, rather than serving to provide any useful backup in an emergency situation.