East Mids coal-fired power stations deployed as cold snap hits

Two Lincolnshire coal-powered stations have begun feeding into the national grid for the first time.

The power facilities at West Burton began powering the National Grid on Tuesday afternoon (March 7) as part of contingency plans to keep electricity flowing during the colder weather this week.

The plants in West Burton, which straddle the Lincolnshire/Nottingham border, have been identified as two of five emergency generators across the UK. They are currently feeding in the minimum amount of power needed, said National Grid ESO, but are primed to supply more if needed.

Temperatures across the UK were set to dip towards a low on -15C in parts of Scotland on Tuesday night.