Uniper’s Ratcliffe on-Soar unit was asked by the Grid’s electricity system operator ESO to prepare for Tuesday’s use.
The ESO sent a second notice this morning asking Uniper’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar unit to prepare.
These are two units of five coal-fired units National Grid paid to place on standby in the winter contingency plans.
This week’s wind speeds dropped, reducing the amount of wind power used in Great Britain.
ESO figures today show that wind contributes 18% to power generation, a decrease from 52% on some days last week.
According to the ESO, asking plants to heat is prudent and does not necessarily mean that electricity supplies are in danger.
Although the coal plants were heated several times during winter, they have been kept at bay each time.
Their cost to keep them on standby was estimated at between £220m-£420m.
