NATIONAL Grid is firing up its emergency coal stations as energy supplies run low.
National Grid warned people that it is warming its emergency coal stations in case they’re needed today.
National Grid has begun warming up its coal stationsGetty
It said: “This notification is not confirmation that these units will be used on Thursday, but that they will be available to the ESO, if required.
“The ESO as a prudent system operator has these tools for additional contingency to operate the network as normal.”
It is the third time this winter the energy supplier has considered using the coal plants, which it previously said would be deployed only as a “last resort” to prevent blackouts.
Temperatures have dropped massively across the UK and the cold weather is set to see a surge in electricity demand to the highest level so far this winter over the teatime peak tonight.
The move comes in the wake of fears raised that three hour blackouts could hit parts of the UK this winter.
this week and the warning comes just two days after households were paid to turn their heating off.
The National Grid’s “Demand Flexibility Service” (DFS) is designed to reduce pressure on the energy network and prevent blackouts.
The Sun has asked National Grid if it will run the DFS scheme again tonight (January 26) and will update the piece once we know more.
The National Grid started running its first “live events” service, on Monday between 5pm and 6pm and then again on Tuesday.
Customers will get on average £3 back from National Grid if they reduce their energy usage by a minimum of 30% but others will get even more if they cut back further.
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