Fossil-fuel power plants could be temporarily freed from planned checks on emissions in the drive to prevent blackouts as Britain returns to coal.
Coal and gas stations providing back-up supply in 2023 will not have to get reports on their emissions signed off by an independent expert under changes being proposed by Whitehall officials.
The Telegraph says there is growing concern over energy security amid fears Russia will shut off gas supplies to Europe in retaliation for sanctions imposed after it invaded Ukraine.
The gradual retirement of the UK's nuclear fleet of power plants in coming years as well as problems with France's nuclear stations are adding to the pressure in energy markets.
Coal-fired plants have already been asked to stay open this winter, while gas quality rules could also be relaxed to allow more from the North Sea into Britain's pipes.
Under rules from 2019, fossil fuel facilities bidding to take part in National Grid ESO's market for back-up power supply have to declare their carbon emissions in line with limits.
The Government wants to make it compulsory for these declarations to be independently verified - a service expected to be carried out mostly by niche consultants - but there have been delays in getting enough people accredited to do the verification.
Independent verification
Officials are concerned that if independent verification is compulsory, some plants will not be able qualify to provide back-up supply for the winter of 2023-2024.
They now plan to postpone for a year the requirement to have emissions figures verified - meaning plants should be able to take part in the auction for 2023.
It marks the second time the requirement has been delayed.
In consultation papers, officials warned that failure to act could lead to lower competition which could trigger increased prices and "risks to security of supply".
They added: "We consider this proposal would be a reasonable precaution to take."
The Telegraph says the Government believes there is only a "low" risk that plants would falsify their emissions claims.
Russian gas
Britain does not buy much gas directly from Russia, but there are concerns about a significant knock-on impact if Russia cuts off supplies to Europe.
Worst-case scenarios modelled in Whitehall indicate 6million households could face blackouts if this winter if that were the case.
National Grid is now developing plans under which potentially millions of households will be paid if they choose to cut their electricity use at peak times, lessening the strain on the system.