RE: Coal power facility to stay open for extra two12 Jan 2023 08:17
Part 2
It is one of four units at its station in Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Nottingham. The other three were always planned to remain open until September 2024.
Gas supplies are likely to remain extremely tight this year as countries look to refill stocks with much less from Russia, while nuclear power plants in Britain also closed last year.
Meanwhile, more of Britain’s electricity is coming from intermittent wind and solar power, posing challenges for balancing the system.
Uniper said: “As requested by the Government, Uniper is now looking at whether we can make the unit available to run under standard market arrangements until the September 2024 coal phase out date.
“We have prequalified the unit to take part in the capacity market T-1 auction for 2023/24 [an auction for back-up power].
“This means further investment to extend the life of the unit. The power station is set to close at the end of September 2024.”
Separately, National Grid was asked at an industry forum yesterday when it would decide whether to extend its special contingency contracts under which extra coal-fired power is being kept online this winter.
A representative said: “We, like the rest of the industry, have half an eye on next winter... we are continuing to work closely with [the regulator and the government] on what our overall winter response will be for 2023/24”.
Drax and EDF said they had not so far been asked to keep their coal units open longer than this winter. Both are currently planning to shut the units down in March and April this year.
Drax added: “Drax’s strategy is to deliver a coal-free future".
None of the coal-fired power plants asked to stay online this winter have so far been called upon to supply power. Mild weather has helped to lower demand for gas, as well as for heating in France.
A Government spokesman said: “The UK has a secure and diverse energy system, and we remain confident in our security of supply.
“Working closely with Ofgem, National Grid Gas and other key industry organisations, we continuously monitor our energy supply and ensure we are ready for a range of scenarios.
“In line with our net zero target, the Government is planning to phase out unabated coal-fired power generation by the end of 2024.”
I suspect this is responsible for the rise at open this morning.
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