From News Desk
Terra Firma Energy (TFE), a UK owner and operator of flexible generation, has emphasised the critical role that fast-start, dispatchable capacity will play in keeping Britain’s electricity system secure and affordable as the country transitions to a predominantly low-carbon grid.
The UK is entering a period where the volume of always-available (“baseload”) generation is structurally declining, while electricity demand is expected to rise as transport, heat and industry electrify. Recent analysis and policy publications underline the scale of change required, including substantial growth in flexibility and operability services to manage a renewables-heavy system.
At the same time, Britain’s legacy firm generation fleet continues to retire. The closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station in September 2024 marked a historic milestone, but also removed a source of firm capacity from the mix. In parallel, the nuclear fleet faces a well-documented “cliff edge” during the late 2020s, despite recent life extensions.
“Flexible generation is the shock absorber of the power system,” said Zach Dodds-Brown, Development Director at Terra Firma Energy. “As we build more wind and solar, we also need reliable capacity that can respond in minutes, to cover forecast error, sudden plant outages, low-wind cold spells, and the increasingly sharp ramps that come with high renewable penetration. That is how we protect consumers and keep the system resilient during the transition.”
Capacity Market signals a tightening outlook with volatility risk from late 2026
TFE noted that the Capacity Market (CM) continues to provide a strong signal of the value of firm, dependable capacity in a changing system. Government publications reiterate the CM’s role as Great Britain’s key mechanism for ensuring sufficient capacity margin at least cost, particularly for stress events such as cold, still periods with high demand and low wind.
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