Greenpeace protesters scale 75m chimney stacks at gas plant

Greenpeace climbers scale two 75m-high chimney stacks at the UK’s second largest gas-fired power station, Staythorpe Power Station. (Greenpeace/PA) PA Media

Eight Greenpeace protesters climbed two 75-metre high chimney stacks at England's largest gas-fired power station on Monday morning. The climbers scaled maintenance ladder rungs at Staythorpe Power Station in Nottinghamshire, which is owned by German energy giant RWE.

They unfurled a large banner reading "The Great Gas Rip-Off: Now on!" from the gantries. The action aims to highlight how gas pricing affects electricity costs across the UK despite gas being only one source of the country's power generation.

Gas dominates electricity pricing

The wholesale price of gas almost always sets the UK's electricity price, even though gas accounts for just a portion of electricity generation alongside wind, solar and nuclear sources. In 2021, gas-fired power stations generated 43% of electricity in Great Britain but set the system price for 97% of the time.

The energy market pays all power plants running simultaneously the same price, determined by the final generator needed to meet demand. Gas plants often fill this role because they can be brought online quickly when demand rises.

Financial impact on households

The UK spent an additional £90 billion on gas between 2021 and 2024 due to spiking global prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. According to analysis by the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, this equates to roughly £1,300 per person across the UK.

Companies can earn substantial profits during high-demand periods. In January this year, two gas-fired power station owners received at least £12 million to supply three hours of electricity after freezing weather caused market prices to spike.

Protester speaks out

Vincent McGoldrick, a 68-year-old former volunteer hospice driver who climbed one of the chimney stacks, explained his motivation for the dangerous protest. "I'm a pensioner, I shouldn't be climbing on power stations. But something has to happen, something has to change," he said.

"We're all being ripped off by these greedy gas companies and it's the poorest in society that are bearing the brunt of sky-high electricity prices," McGoldrick continued. He cited concerns about his six grandchildren's future and the impact on families struggling to heat their homes as driving his decision to take action.

Campaign demands change

Lily-Rose Ellis, Greenpeace UK campaigner, called for government intervention to end the current pricing system. "Right across the country, people are struggling to pay their bills, while the gas giants running our power stations rake in huge profits," she said. "The Government could stop this today, by ending the system that lets expensive gas set electricity prices."

The campaigners staged their action during a period of ample energy supply to minimise disruption. Greenpeace published a report earlier this month proposing that gas plants operate as a "strategic reserve" sold at agreed prices rather than on the open market, potentially saving households and businesses £5.1 billion annually.

PA has contacted the Energy Department and RWE for comment. The protesters said they would remain on the chimney stacks only as long as necessary to raise awareness about gas pricing's role in electricity costs.

Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.