The UK could face blackouts unless it builds more gas-fired power stations, the Government has said, despite pledges to cut carbon emissions. The Government has committed to building new gas power plants to avoid what has been described as a “genuine prospect of blackouts”. New stations will replace existing plants, many of which are already set to be retired.
Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho will say today that there is a need for new gas-fired power stations beyond 2030 to ensure there is a reliable backup when renewable energy sources cannot provide effectively, such as on days when it is not windy or sunny enough. “There are no two ways about it. Without gas backing up renewables, we face the genuine prospect of blackouts,” Ms Coutinho will say in a speech at Chatham House on Tuesday."There are no easy solutions in energy, only trade-offs. If countries are forced to choose between clean energy and keeping citizens safe and warm, believe me they'll choose to keep the lights on.“And so, as we continue to move towards clean energy, we must be realisti