The UK used backup coal-fired power plants for the first time ever yesterday

Yesterday, the operator of the UK’s electricity transmission system activated and connected two backup coal-fired power plants to the grid for the first time ever, to ensure sufficient capacity to meet expected higher demand. Before the start of this winter, the system operator warned that households in the country could face electricity supply restrictions lasting several hours if the UK failed to secure sufficient energy resources.

Although the energy crisis has now passed its peak, reached last summer when natural gas and electricity prices hit record highs, the situation can still be tight during periods of higher electricity demand. The UK has backup resources available to deal with such situations. They do not usually need to sell electricity on the market on a regular basis, but instead wait for instructions from the system operator.

According to Reuters, yesterday the country’s system operator, National Grid, activated backup coal-fired units and then synchronised them with the grid for the first time ever. The two units are at the West Burton coal-fired power station, which is operated by EDF. The UK system operator had already activated backup resources several times this winter, making them ready to operate, but they had not been used until yesterday.