Historic Leap for Coal Country Britain: Non-Fossil Power Now the New Normal

The traditional coal country Britain has earned its cleanest year on record for electrical energy: zero-carbon energy became the nation’s largest source of electricity in 2019, surpassing fossil fuel generation for the very first time!

The achievement is part of UK’s aim to reach a minimum 100% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions based on 1990 levels by 2050, and become a net-zero carbon economy.

National Grid, which runs the electricity transmission networks in most of the United Kingdom, published data showing that renewable energy constituted 48.5% of electricity generation, compared to 43% for fossil fuels. Biomass, such as wood pellets, generated 8.5% of electricity. What’s more, Britain broke the record going for 18 days from May to early June 2019 to generate electricity entirely coal-free, the longest run of its kind since 1882.

“As we enter a new decade, this truly is a historic moment and an opportunity to reflect on how much has been achieved,” says National Grid’s chief executive John Pettigrew. “At National 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.”