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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Alex Lawson

Why did National Grid use coal to meet surge in electricity demand?

National Grid Coal Electricity ESO United Kingdom Britain Drax Uniper
Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal plant, which National Grid requested be readied to burn coal to generate power late on Sunday night after soaring temperatures caused a spike in electricity demand
Late on Sunday night, National Grid requested that Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal plant be readied to burn coal to generate power, after soaring temperatures caused a spike in electricity demand. Photograph: Brian Lawrence/Alamy

On Monday, in order to meet extra demand to power air conditioning, National Grid broke a 46-day run in which coal had not been used to generate electricity in Britain. But as the country swelters in the heat, commentators and green campaigners have asked why coal and not renewables were used to plug the gap.

What actually happened?

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