National Grid triggers emergency back-up power plan over fears energy supplies could run out

THE National Grid has triggered its back-up power plan over fears energy supplies could run out.

As the country woke up to a blanket of snow, the company ordered two coal-fired units at Drax power plant in Yorkshire to be ready for potential usage today.

National Grid said the move “should give the public confidence in Monday’s energy supply”; adding that people “should continue to use energy as normal”;.

It is the first time this winter the energy supplier has considered using the coal plants, which it previously said would be deployed only as a “last resort”; to prevent blackouts.

The cold weather is set to see a surge in electricity demand to the highest level so far this winter over the teatime peak tonight.

The move comes in the wake of fears raised that three hour blackouts could hit parts of the UK this winter.

Government documents seen by The Sun in October revealed plans for the power cuts designed to conserve energy supplies.

Blackouts could be introduced in case of an emergency scenario where there is a massive shortage of gas, which is used to generate electricity.

Supplies to the UK have dropped in recent months following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The blackouts would only take place in a worse-case scenario, where gas supplies are reduced because more people are using their energy on colder days.

It comes as commuters are bracing for rush hour chaos today after four inches of snow fell overnight.

The white stuff blanketed London and other parts of the country last night, seeing travel warnings scattered nation-wide.

Brits have already faced days of cancelled flights, delayed trains and backed-up motorways as a result of adverse weather.

Drivers were stuck in standstill traffic this morning on the M25 as snow fell on the busy motorway.

And at Gatwick and Stansted, runways are closed with dozens of flights delayed.