Think-tank warns over plans to use hospital generators to prevent blackouts

Policy Exchange has expressed concerns over the National Grid’s drive to encourage hospitals to use their back-up diesel generators to help maintain the UK’s electricity network.

The think-tank claimed the move would likely cause high levels of air pollution in areas where patients are recovering.

The news comes as the energy utility is calling on NHS sites to sign up for schemes where they will be paid to routinely use their back-up generators. National Grid believes that making greater use of the existing generators represents a cost-effective way of helping to meet peak UK power demand as the country builds more intermittent wind and solar, as opposed to the construction of new power plants which would ultimately remain dormant.

However, Policy Exchange has advised that the government should restrict the use of diesel generators beyond cases of genuine emergency back-up, due to concerns over air quality.

Richard Howard, Policy Exchange’s head of energy and environment, said: “National Grid has been actively recruiting hospitals and other organisations to make back-up generators available at peak times and avoid blackouts.

"Whilst this is desirable from a security of supply point of view, it is highly questionable from an air quality point of view – particularly since hospitals are typically located in urban locations close to some of the most sensitive receptors.”

Howard added: “The regulations need to be designed so as to avoid placing undue restrictions on genuine back-up generators, but at the same time limit the extent to which these same generators can run purely for commercial reasons.”

A spokesman for National Grid said: "Demand side measures are good for bill payers as they provide flexibility at a lower cost and help the country shift to a more low-carbon energy system.

"National Grid is obliged to be agnostic about technology and to procure the most cost-effective solutions to help us balance supply and demand. However, the government is currently examining the regulations surrounding diesel generation."