In summary:

• RWE operates more than 7,000 MW of flexible thermal power generation, principally fuelled by natural gas. Our operational fleet includes a range of technology types, each providing unique benefits – including Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGTs), Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), and gas reciprocating engines. As the technologies are fully dispatchable, they provide important services to the grid to ensure the system is reliable and secure.
  
  
• Many of our CCGT plant were built to run almost continuously i.e. baseload. However, over time, as the share of generation from intermittent renewables such as wind and solar has increased, our plants now regularly ‘two-shift’ – i.e. turn off at times of the day when renewable resources are plentiful, and turn back on when the system needs additional generation.
   
• The role of gas generation is set to change even further as we head toward clean power. By 2030, gas generation is expected to be less than 5% of the annual mix, compared with around one-third in 2023. However, although running much less frequently, it will remain vital as ‘back-up’ – filling in the gaps arising from variable renewable generation, and providing valuable services to the grid to ensure security of supply.
  
  
• It is therefore critical to ensure the continued, safe operation of gas to support a clean power system in 2030. RWE believe this is best achieved via evolution of the existing Capacity Market. For example, a minimum target within the Capacity Market for plant meeting certain criteria for prolonged generation would ensure the availability of the right kind of plant, running only rarely and at the time of greatest need.
  
  
• RWE is investing in low-carbon technologies such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and hydrogen combustion, to ensure our gas fleet continues to contribute to energy security while supporting the UK’s transition to low carbon power. Further information on RWE decarbonisation projects is available here.