Electricity from coal dropsto new low
COAL generated a record low six per cent of the UK’s electricity this spring, official figures show.
The share of coal in the power mix fell from 20 per cent last spring following the closures of coal-fired stations at Longannet in Fife and Ferrybridge in West Yorkshire.
But renewable power also fell marginally in April to June 2016 compared to the previous spring, to just below 25 per cent of the mix, as a result of reduced wind speeds and rainfall which affected wind turbine output and hydropower.
The gap left by coal was filled by gas, which generated 45 per cent of the UK’s electricity this spring – up from 30 per cent the previous year.
Overall, low carbon sources of electricity – renewables and nuclear – generated around 46 per cent of the total. The figures from the Department of Business and Energy chart the continuing decline of coal power in the UK, which has seen polluting power stations close and the Government pledge to phase out the power source by 2025.
This spring the amount of electricity generated by coal fell to zero at points for the first time since the 19th century. Over the course of April, more power was generated from wind than from coal, and in May solar panels outstripped coal-fired stations to generate more electricity across the month than the fossil fuel.
Juliet Davenport, chief executive of renewable energy supplier Good Energy, said: “As clean technology advances, Britain is bidding farewell to coal. The Government has very stretched carbon-reduction targets so we need to see decisive action and a level playing field for renewable technologies.” Scottish Ballet has started its muchanticipated tour of the production Sibilo.
The work is the latest by the company’s dancer Sophie Laplane, who has been making her mark on the dance world with her attention-grabbing unique works. It mixes humour with inspiration from everyday emotions and situations and features music from DJ Alex Menzies aka Alex Smoke. Sibilo is said to demonstrate Laplane’s joyful and unrestricted style in a celebration of the power and versatility of dance. It is her first commission for a large tour with the curtain raising on the production at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow last night. Picture: Jane Hobson