National Grid stands down coal power plants readied to help France

Drax and one EDF unit had been warmed up in response to request over strike concerns and not cold snap

National Grid has stood down coal-fired power stations that had been instructed to warm up on Thursday after France's network operator sounded the alarm over the impact of strike action.

Two units at Drax in Yorkshire and one at West Burton in Nottinghamshire were asked to fire up just before midnight on Wednesday. The West Burton unit was stood down at 5.13am, and the Drax units were later also informed they would not be called into action.