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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ofgem: Old power plants plan for energy crisis | Ofgem: Old power plants plan for energy crisis |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| "Mothballed" gas-fired power plants could be used as a "last resort" in the event of a power shortage, under new rules. | "Mothballed" gas-fired power plants could be used as a "last resort" in the event of a power shortage, under new rules. |
| New regulations, approved by regulator Ofgem will also allow the National Grid to ask more businesses to cut back on energy use during peak times in winter. | New regulations, approved by regulator Ofgem will also allow the National Grid to ask more businesses to cut back on energy use during peak times in winter. |
| Ofgem predicts "tighter" electricity supplies from winter 2014. | Ofgem predicts "tighter" electricity supplies from winter 2014. |
| Old gas-fired power stations, closed because of inefficiency, are more likely to be used than coal-fired ones. | Old gas-fired power stations, closed because of inefficiency, are more likely to be used than coal-fired ones. |
| 'Extra insurance policy' | 'Extra insurance policy' |
| The regulator predicted supply could could fall to 2% above electricity demand in 2015-2016, depending on the outlook for demand. | The regulator predicted supply could could fall to 2% above electricity demand in 2015-2016, depending on the outlook for demand. |
| Chief executive at Ofgem, Andrew Wright, said: "Britain has one of the most reliable power systems in the world but, with margins tightening, there can be no room for industry complacency on security of supply. | Chief executive at Ofgem, Andrew Wright, said: "Britain has one of the most reliable power systems in the world but, with margins tightening, there can be no room for industry complacency on security of supply. |
| "Therefore, we have approved these new tools to act as an extra insurance policy that is available for National Grid to protect consumers' power supplies." | "Therefore, we have approved these new tools to act as an extra insurance policy that is available for National Grid to protect consumers' power supplies." |
| Ofgem's decision gives National Grid the ability to agree contracts, if it needs to, with power stations to provide extra reserve power in times of peak demand. | Ofgem's decision gives National Grid the ability to agree contracts, if it needs to, with power stations to provide extra reserve power in times of peak demand. |
| Mothballed gas-fired plant and other generators would compete for these contracts. | Mothballed gas-fired plant and other generators would compete for these contracts. |
| The National Grid can also ask for businesses' support during peak times between 16:00 and 20:00 in the winter, by asking them to come off the National Grid in return for a payment. |