Letter from London: UK thermal generation economics in a spin
The country’s move away from market-based to subsidy-driven mechanisms is undermining both existing and new conventional generation
The June appointment of administrators for the UK’s Severn Power and Sutton Bridge combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants owned by independent power producer Calon Energy was, unfortunately, no great surprise. Even when Calon bought Sutton Bridge from France’s EdF seven years ago, its commercial assumptions were optimistic. Calon plants may well have been negatively impacted by 2020’s UK power demand reduction due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It certainly would not have helped. Odds against But the brutal truth is that the power market of the UK (or, more accurately, that of GB, as Northern Ireland sits within the All-Island Energy Market) has never justified optimism for conventional g
Also in this section
11 February 2026
Panellists from three LNG buyers at LNG2026 in Doha outlined their evolving procurement strategies as they navigate heightened market volatility
11 February 2026
North African producer plans to boost output by early 2030, with Europe its number one priority as export destination
11 February 2026
Maritime leaders at LNG2026 warned of the dangers of over-regulation on competitiveness, sustainability and innovation
10 February 2026
The country has opened bidding on 50 blocks in a new licensing round but will face competition for attention and will need to address concerns about security and legislation
