A new 880MW, £710 million gas-fired power station has officially been opened at Carrington in Greater Manchester.
Operator Carrington Power, a subsidiary of ESB, claims it is one of the most efficient thermal plants in the UK, expected to generate four times more electricity than the coal plant formerly located on the site.
The facility will also be able to provide quick back-up power when needed for intermittent generation such as wind and solar.
Energy Minister Jesse Norman said: “New power stations like this complement low carbon wind and solar renewable energy by providing reliable electricity all year round, whatever the weather or time of day. And this investment has created skilled jobs for the area as well.”