UK resorts to emergency coal power to prevent blackouts
EMERGENCY coal-powered electricity was used in Britain last night for the first time this winter to stave off the threat of blackouts after a cold snap and strikes in France stretched supplies.
The fossil fuel accounted for almost 5pc of Britain’s electricity generation last night after National Grid ordered EDF to start running its West Burton A plant near Retford, Notts.
In a tense day on electricity markets, National Grid’s electricity system operator (ESO) also asked two other coalfired plants to warm up in case needed and called on other generators for extra supplies, as a supply crunch loomed at teatime. Demand was high as a cold snap settled on Britain, while widespread strikes in France over pension reform helped knock out about 14.9 gigawatts of supply in France from state energy giant EDF, with more than 40pc of its workforce on strike.
Britain typically needs to buy electricity from France to meet its own needs during peak times during winter, but last night was instead exporting more than 2GW.
The ESO stressed during the day that its actions did not indicate supply was at risk, as it needs to maintain a healthy buffer. However, the developments highlighted the strains on Britain’s electricity market at a time of huge change in the generation mix.
Shivam Malhotra, consultant at electricity market specialists LCP Delta, said yesterday: “These [coal] contracts are only intended to be used when all commercial options have been exhausted by National Grid.
“Coal-fired power from West Burton has started generating electricity and will be producing for the next 10 hours.
“Concern on the tightness of the system has been triggered by strikes in France, which is reducing confidence in securing electricity from the interconnectors, along with low wind output in Britain and forecast high demand at 6pm [yesterday].” EDF’S coal plant is one of three that were due to close in September 2022 but have been kept open at the Government’s request to provide back-up electricity supplies if needed this winter.
Separately, workers who maintain the electricity grid for London and the South East have become the latest to back strike action raising the prospect of widespread power cuts.
The decision to reject a pay offer was described as “deeply disappointing” by a spokesman for electricity infrastructure company UK Power Networks.
The spokesman said: “We believe our record offer of a projected 18pc pay rise and additional benefits is a fair and generous one.”