UK Grid Uses Back-Up Coal for First Time as Cold Snap Hits
- National Grid’s operator calls on EDF’s coal power plant
- Tightest day of the winter requires wider system buffer
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Britain’s National Grid Plc called on a new back-up coal-fired reserve to generate power for the first time, after the market failed to provide enough electricity during the worst supply crunch this winter.
It’s a first for the grid operator, which was asked by the government to maintain coal-fired power capacity to cope with a historic energy crisis. The reserve units were later stood down by National Grid after peak evening demand eased.