Green main energy use

Renewables energy overtook fossil fuels to be the biggest source of electricity in the UK for the first time last year, a report shows.

Wind, solar, bioenergy and hydropower generated a record 42% of UK power last year, while fossil fuels - mostly gas - produced 41%, analysis from think tanks Ember and Agora Energiewende found.

In 2019, renewables generated 37% of the UK's electricity compared with 45% for fossil fuels.

The share of power from wind turbines continues to increase, making up nearly a quarter (24%) of generation in 2020 – double the share it had just five years ago.

Charles Moore, Ember's European programme lead, said: "It is clear the UK has started its journey towards gas power phase-out in 2035 as recommended by the Climate Change Committee."