2019, clean energy UK
Wind, solar and nuclear oustrip dirty fossil fuels
BrITAIN reached a key clean energy milestone in 2019 as zero carbon electricity outstripped fossil fuels for the first time, National Grid has said.
The past year was the cleanest on record for the grid as energy from sources such as wind, solar and nuclear exceeded supplies from fuels such as coal and gas.
Data released by National Grid shows wind farms, hydro plants, solar and nuclear energy, and clean power imported by subsea cables known as interconnectors, delivered 48.5 per cent of electricity in 2019. That compares with 43 per cent generated by fossil fuels.
The remaining 8.5 per cent came from biomass, which is renewable but produces carbon emissions when the wood pellets used to make the power are burned.
The milestone comes as the UK reaches the halfway point in its efforts to cut its emissions by 100 per cent on 1990 levels, and reach its legally- binding target of achieving ‘ net-zero’ greenhouse gases, by 2050. It is a dramatic change responsible from for 1990 three-quarters when coal was of Britain’s power supply and wind, solar and hydro accounted for just 2.3 per cent. These zero carbon renewables made up 26.5 per cent of the power mix in 2019 while coal accounted for just 2.1 per cent. Gas made up 38.4 per cent of the mix by 2019. National Grid chief executive a John historic new to Pettigrew reflect decade, moment on said: and this how ‘As an truly much opportunity we enter is has a been ‘At National achieved. Grid, we know we have a critical role in the acceleration towards a cleaner future and are committed to playing our part in delivering a safe and secure energy system that works for all.’
National Grid plans to invest almost £10billion in gas and electricity networks over five years. It includes investments in new equipment and technology to help the electricity system operator (ESO) run a net zero carbon electricity system by 2025 – so it can cope with periods when only renewables and nuclear are used.
The past year has also seen a number of records, including new highs for wind and solar power generation and going 18 days without using electricity from coal.
The grid also saw probably its greenest day ever in August when 87.9 per cent of power came from low carbon sources and the pollution from electricity generation fell to a low of 57 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour of power.