Early on the morning of September 22, 2025, a group of eight Greenpeace UK activists took dramatic action to highlight what they call the "Great Gas Rip-Off." Scaling two towering 75-meter-high chimney stacks at Staythorpe Power Station in Nottinghamshire—England’s largest gas-fired power station—the campaigners unfurled a massive banner to draw attention to the controversial role of gas in the UK’s electricity market. Their message was bold and direct: “The Great Gas Rip-Off: Now On!”
According to BBC News, the activists climbed the chimneys using the maintenance ladder rungs, reaching the gantries at the top. Their protest, they explained, was not simply an act of defiance but a calculated move to expose how, despite gas supplying just 30% of the UK’s electricity last year, gas-fired power stations almost always set the price for all electricity. In fact, in 2021, gas set the price 97% of the time—a figure Greenpeace says is both shocking and little-known to the public.
One of the activists, Vincent McGoldrick, a 68-year-old retiree and former hospice driver, shared his motivation for joining the protest. “I’m a pensioner – I shouldn’t be climbing on power stations. But something has to happen – something has to change. 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 told reporters, as quoted by Nottingham Post. He continued, “Millions of families are struggling to keep the lights on or heat their homes. This has a knock-on effect on our health, our children’s education, and it’s costing the NHS millions. I have six grandchildren, I want a better future for them than what’s currently on offer – I can’t just sit by and do nothing.”
Greenpeace’s campaign is rooted in hard numbers. Over the past five years, they claim, gas-driven electricity prices have averaged 130% higher than solar, 29% higher than onshore wind, and 13% higher than offshore wind. The result? Bigger profits for gas generators and, inevitably, bigger bills for households and businesses. During the recent energy crisis, the global spike in gas prices added an estimated £90 billion to UK gas bills between 2021 and 2024—an average of £1,300 per person, according to Greenpeace’s own analysis. That’s a staggering figure, and it’s become a rallying cry for those demanding reform.
The activists’ timing was deliberate. As reported by West Bridgford Wire, the protest was staged at a time when there was plenty of supply on the energy system, minimizing any risk of disruption or blackouts. The climbers made it clear they would stay on the chimney stacks only as long as necessary to highlight the central role gas-fired power stations play in driving up the cost of electricity.
Nottinghamshire Police responded swiftly to the incident, confirming that all eight activists were arrested for aggravated trespassing under the Public Order Act. Four protesters descended from the chimneys before midday, while the remaining four came down shortly after 4:30 pm, as detailed by BBC News. The activists remain in custody as authorities investigate the incident further. Assistant Chief Constable Suk Verma explained, “Our policing response has been guided by multi-agency principles and legislation, and we have worked closely with our partners in responding to this matter. We will now work in collaboration with the site’s owner and key partners to prevent future security breaches.”
The owner of Staythorpe Power Station, the German energy giant RWE, emphasized safety throughout the protest. A spokesperson for RWE stated, “Early this morning, a group of protestors gained access to Staythorpe Power Station near Newark. At the time of the incident, the power station was operational and continues to produce power. As the situation evolves, our foremost priority is the safety and wellbeing of everyone on-site, including our staff, contractors, and the protestors. We are closely monitoring the situation and working collaboratively with the relevant authorities to ensure that all necessary safety measures are in place.”
Despite the high-profile protest, operations at the power station were not disrupted, and the facility remained online throughout the day. RWE reiterated its commitment to safety and its cooperation with local authorities, including the police, to manage the situation and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Greenpeace’s campaigners are not just protesting—they are also proposing solutions. Earlier this month, Greenpeace UK published a report outlining how the government could save households and businesses £5.1 billion a year by removing gas-fired power plants from the wholesale electricity pricing system. The idea is to stop gas from setting the price for all electricity, thereby shielding British consumers and companies from volatile global gas markets and the kind of price spikes seen during the recent energy crisis.
Lily-Rose Ellis, a campaigner for Greenpeace UK, argued, “Most people have absolutely no idea that expensive gas is still setting the price of electricity – it’s time they knew the truth. Right across the country, people are struggling to pay their bills, while the gas giants running our power stations rake in huge profits. The government could stop this today – by ending the system that lets expensive gas set electricity prices. By taking control of our energy system we can lower bills, help tackle climate change, and make sure our power works for people, not for corporate greed.”
Government officials have also weighed in on the broader issue. A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero told Sky News, “Our mission for clean power by 2030 will replace our dependency on unstable fossil fuel markets with clean, homegrown power controlled in Britain – which is the best way to protect billpayers and boost our energy security.”
The protest at Staythorpe is the latest in a series of actions by environmental groups demanding urgent reform of the UK’s energy pricing system. The activists’ focus on the wholesale price mechanism—where the most expensive source of power, typically gas, sets the price for all electricity—has sparked renewed debate about whether the current system is fair or sustainable in an era of climate crisis and rising living costs.
Meanwhile, the incident has prompted calls for increased security at critical infrastructure sites. Assistant Chief Constable Suk Verma emphasized that the police would continue to work with RWE and other partners to prevent future security breaches, underscoring the delicate balance between protest rights and public safety.
As the dust settles at Staythorpe Power Station, the core question remains: will this bold protest move the needle on energy reform, or will the UK’s electricity market continue to be shaped by the volatile price of gas? For now, activists, energy companies, and government officials all agree on one thing—change is in the air, and the conversation about the future of Britain’s power is far from over.
