Ban coal from backup power subsidy scheme, says Scottish Power

Energy company and RenewableUK argue it is 'counterproductive' to spend bill-payers' money on dirty technology

Ministers should ban coal power stations from a scheme paying their owners subsidies to provide backup power, a leading energy company and green energy group have urged.

Scottish Power and RenewableUK said it was an "obvious paradox" and "counterproductive" that the government had committed to closing all coal power stations by 2025 while continuing to support them through the capacity market, its system for ensuring power when supplies are low.