Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which UK coal-fired power stations supplied the National Grid during the week commencing 26 February 2018; and if he will make a statement.

All seven of Great Britain’s active coal plants generated at some point in the week commencing 26 February. These are; West Burton, Eggborough, Aberthaw B, Fiddlers Ferry, Ratcliffe, Drax and Cottam. This is in line with the normal functioning of the electricity market.

We have announced measures to ensure that all unabated coal generation will close by 2025. In the meantime, coal can be an important bridge to new, lower-carbon technologies, including gas, and can provide important and economic capacity in the interim period until coal units close.