Emergency coal power plants used for first time as UK sees cold snap

Two old coal-fired power plants have begun generating again as the UK expects to see its coldest night of the year so far.

The plants had been put on standby in case of shortfalls, but started feeding power into the grid this afternoon.

National Grid blamed high demand and a shortage of electricity from other sources.

The coal plants began operating in 1966 but were due to close last September.

However, operators have kept them open for an extra six months at the request of the government, amid fears of possible power shortages.

Temperatures are expected to drop to -15C (5F) in some parts of the UK on Tuesday evening, with snow sweeping parts of the country.

The cold snap is expected to last for the next few days, with weather warnings in place across the country.

The two coal-powered stations that were fired up again are in West Burton in Nottinghamshire.

Two other coal-fired plans, at the Drax power station in Yorkshire, were also ordered to begin warming up on Tuesday. It is not clear yet whether they will be called upon as well.

The extra generating capacity was lined up this week due to concerns that the margin between supply and demand was becoming too narrow.

National Grid blames the cold weather, a shortage of wind and solar power generation, and a lack of electricity available through interconnectors from France due to strike action in the country.

However, plans to use the so-called demand flexibility service - which pays people to use less electricity - have been set aside.

Although the cold weather is expected to continue tomorrow, the grid is expected to be under less strain because more electricity will be available through international undersea cables.