Financial Times: Focus on gas plants angers green lobby

The government is set to announce that gas-fired power could account for half of generation capacity by 2030 – a target that will infuriate green campaigners who want greater use of renewables.

Ministers will say on Wednesday that 26 gigawatts of new gas-fired power capacity will be needed by 2030, with most of that replacing nuclear and coal-fired plants that are due to be closed down in the next few years.

The figures will be announced in the government’s gas generation strategy, published alongside George Osborne’s Autumn Statement.  MORE