Some of the UK’s biggest banks have agreed to invest £100m in a fleet of eleven micro gas-fired power plants across England to offer the national grid fast-starting power options. Lloyd’s commercial banking division, HSBC and NIBC have agreed to finance Green Frog Power’s plans for 220MW of gas-fired power capacity across sites from Plymouth to Newcastle. The £100m loan could be stretched by a further £50m to allow Green Frog to build another 110MW worth of gas-fired power in the next few years. Together the flurry of small gas plants represent the equivalent of one large gas-fired power unit, which could compete for contracts with National Grid to help balance the energy system as old coal-plants are shut down. The mini-plants are capable of quickly ramping up from idle to maximum power output in just five minutes, meaning they could play a key role in managing Britain’s transition to a more flexible power system.
Telegraph 6th May 2018 read more »
CONCERNS have been raised about the risk of electricity black-outs in Northern Ireland after cracks were discovered at a Scottish nuclear power station. Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs called for the retention of Kilroot Power Station in Larne to safeguard supplies after 39 cracks in graphite bricks were discovered on a reactor at the Hunterston B plant on the Ayrshire coast. Electricity output from the station could fall by 40 per cent this year, with the damaged reactor not expected to return to service for several months. Mr Beggs claimed the reduced output could have implications for availability of power for the Moyle Interconnector during peak winter demand.
Irish News 7th May 2018 read more »
