Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the cost is of backup gas-fired power and additional grid per kWh of wind and solar electricity.

The Government is committed to delivering a clean, secure, and affordable electricity system.

There is no single cost estimate for backup generation or grid per kWh of renewable generation. These costs depend on the location and mix of generation and demand. Costs and benefits are assessed at a whole-system level, accounting for technologies’ different roles.

The Department publishes estimates of Electricity Generation Costs, including at different load factors for dispatchable technologies.

Security of supply is supported by a range of technologies including gas-fired generation. The Capacity Market is the Government’s primary mechanism for ensuring reliable capacity is available when needed.