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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answers of 18 May 2022 to Questions 166 and 167 on Coal Fired Power Stations, if he will define the ranges of (a) slightly extending the life of remaining coal-fired power stations and (b) a minimal impact on (i) national and global CO2 emissions and (ii) consumers’ energy bills.

Agreements recently concluded between the Electricity System Operator and Drax and West Burton coal plant will expire on 31st March 2023. Discussions on Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station are still live, and costs associated with these contracts are confidential while negotiations are ongoing. The impact on consumers’ energy bills is expected to be minimal.

Generation units subject to the contracts will only be dispatched if required by the System Operator to manage exceptional energy security risks. The Government is confident of meeting its Carbon Budget emissions obligations, and remains committed to phasing out unabated coal generation in Great Britain by October 2024.