The need to start one of the UK’s last remaining coal power station on Monday morning underscores the urgency of investing in new nuclear capacity, the London-based Nuclear Industry Association said.

West Burton A, in Lincolnshire, which is due to be decommissioned this time next year, was started because the lack of wind meant it was needed to provide stability to the grid.

It meant that for the first time since March this year, more than 1.5 GW of power for the UK was generated by coal – equivalent to 546 wind turbines worth.