Gas plants picked for winter power reserves

Three British gas power stations were today picked to be on call in case of a surge in electricity demand next winter. National Grid chose two power plants of Centrica’s – […]

Three British gas power stations were today picked to be on call in case of a surge in electricity demand next winter.

National Grid chose two power plants of Centrica’s – South Humber Bank and Barry – and a third called Corby, owned by Corby Power, for its Supplemental Balancing Reserve (SBR) system.

The trio are all the more efficient type of gas plants, combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) and will provide back up electricity from 6am to 8pm between November and February in 2015/16.

More power plants will join them in the SBR and when pooled together, these will provide up to 1,800 megawatts (MW).

Cordi O’Hara, National Grid’s Director of UK Market Operation said: “We might be in the middle of this winter but as a prudent system operator, it’s vital that we plan ahead to next year and beyond.

“We already know that the margin between supply and demand next winter is expected to be tight, mainly due to plant closures. These contracts represent a prudent initial step, which will support us in balancing supply and demand.”

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