Fuelling Transition argues that building more gas power plants could release hundreds of millions of pounds a year for greater cuts in emissions, more home insulation and additional low carbon research and development.

A more balanced approach to electricity generation over the next decade – which enables the market to bring forward cheaper, new gas generation instead of some of the most expensive planned investments such as offshore wind – could save £700-900 million a year, even if the power plants are shut much earlier than they might otherwise be. Such an approach would still allow huge investment in renewable generation, including 9GW of offshore wind by 2020.