National Grid in talks with Drax to revive coal-fired units

Plans for North Yorkshire plant discussed as return of scheme to pay customers to reduce electricity during peak times confirmed

National Grid has held talks with Drax over bringing two coal-fired units at its vast power plant in North Yorkshire out of retirement to prevent power cuts and confirmed it will again run its scheme to help avert blackouts this winter.

While the grid's electricity system operator (ESO) said that power plants and windfarms were expected to be able to generate more than enough to meet Great Britain's needs, it will once again run its demand flexibility service" that pays customers to reduce electricity use during peak times.