What happens when the wind stops?

In the news in the UK this week concern were voiced as to how the grid will cope with the needs of a severe and prolonged winter or even just period of heightened cold. The margins of safety has been reduced from 15% or so five years ago to 5% now. There has been preparation by the energy distribution boards of lists of major users who will be paid, that is if they agree, to cut their production in order to keep the lights going.
This is, of course, due to the closing of coal powered stations and the failure to renew the ageing nuclear power plants.
They are also determining that standby generators will be available to help out.
The folly here is that the costs ultimately will not just be that these are higher for all but the effect will almost certainly be a costly increase in CO2. The generators, the partial factory closures  the re-opening or extending the use of the retired coal plant will ensure this.