Share of electricity from renewables hits a new high but coal power falls to record low

THE SHARE of electricity generated by renewables climbed to new highs of almost 30 per cent between April and June, while coal power fell to record lows of just two per cent, official figures show.

Low-carbon electricity – which includes renewables and nuclear – accounted for a record 53.4 per cent of generation in the second quarter of 2017, the statistics from the Department for Business and Energy (Beis) reveal.

Coal continued its slide out of the energy mix, with its share dropping to 2.1 per cent for the three months, down from 5.9 per cent for the same period the year before.

In April, Britain experienced its first full day without generating any electricity from coal since the Industrial Revolution.

The rise in renewables’ share of power, up from 25.3 per cent in 2016 to 29.8 per cent this year, was down to more wind turbines and increased wind speeds, as well as lower overall electricity generation, according to the report.

Power generated from onshore and offshore wind both rose compared with the previous year, as did energy from biodegradable waste.

Gas generated 41.3 per cent of the mix, slightly down on last year, and nuclear accounted for a slightly increased 23.6 per cent in the second quarter of the year.

The latest data comes after National Grid revealed that this summer was the “greenest ever” for British power generation, as the share of low-carbon power in the mix rose to 52 per cent for the period from June 21 to September 22.

Recent weeks have also seen the price of offshore wind tumble, falling by 50 per cent compared with two and a half years ago. And Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed, during a trip to Canada, the Government’s ambition to phase out polluting coal power by 2025.

Industry body RenewableUK’s executive director Emma Pinchbeck said: “It’s terrific to see that nearly a third of the UK’s electricity is now being generated by renewables, with wind power leading the way.

“The UK’s renewable energy sector is an industrial success story, attracting investment, creating new jobs, and powering our economy.”