Fears have been raised that several UK power stations might have to close in 2013, leading to shortfalls in UK electricity production and possible power blackouts.

Under EU rules old coal and oil power stations were given a choice: upgrade and become clean, or close down after another 20,000 operating hours. Several stations chose to close down and were expected to cease operations in 2015 – but the recent high price of electricity has encouraged them to increase their operations, meaning they will reach their 20,000 hour limit sooner than expected.

With no new power stations planned the result could be a shortage of electricity in 2013 and beyond.