Britain Considers New Gas Plants for Energy Security, Despite Climate Concerns Britain is facing a dilemma between energy security and climate goals. The government announced plans to either build new gas plants or refurbish existing ones to ensure a reliable energy supply and avoid blackouts. Balancing Security and Sustainability: The Need for Gas Backup: Energy Minister Claire Coutinho highlighted the need for gas as a backup for renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which are unreliable due to weather conditions. Shutting down aging power plants creates a 5-gigawatt capacity gap that new or refurbished gas plants could fill. Net-Zero Compatibility: The government claims these plants will be “net-zero ready,” meaning they could be retrofitted in the future to use cleaner hydrogen fuel or capture carbon emissions. Criticism and Concerns: Environmental groups like Greenpeace UK argue that relying on new gas infrastructure contradicts Britain’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. They believe it would also extend dependence on expensive and polluting fossil fuels. Additional Reforms Proposed: Zonal Electricity Pricing: The government is considering a system where electricity prices vary depending on location. This aims to better reflect supply and demand across different regions, potentially lowering costs for consumers. The Road Ahead: These announcements are part of a wider consultation on reforming Britain’s electricity market. The goal is to find a balance between keeping the lights on and achieving ambitious climate targets