Coal news and updates

UK Fires Up Coal Plants, Pays Customers to Cut Energy Use During Cold Snap

Britain is warming up its coal power stations once again this winter as a cold snap and light winds have settled into the region.

To make sure there is enough power during the cold spell, National Grid’s electricity system operator (ESO) has asked power station operators Drax and EDF Energy to begin warming their respective North Yorkshire and West Burton, Nottinghamshire, coal units, reported The Guardian.

“Our forecasts show electricity supply margins are expected to be tighter than normal on Monday evening,” said the ESO, as The Guardian reported. “We have instructed coal-fired power units to be available to increase electricity supplies should it be needed tomorrow evening… These are precautionary measures to maintain the buffer of spare capacity we need.”