The Government has committed to building new gas power stations to avert what ministers described as the "genuine prospect of blackouts".In a speech at Chatham House, Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho will outline the need for unabated gas power in the electricity system beyond 2030, which the Government said would still mean the UK was on track to meet targets to cut emissions to zero overall by 2050.

The Government has committed to building new gas power stations to avert what ministers described as the "genuine prospect of blackouts".In a speech at Chatham House, Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho will outline the need for unabated gas power in the electricity system beyond 2030, which the Government said would still mean the UK was on track to meet targets to cut emissions to zero overall by 2050.