For the first time, since the Industrial Revolution, Britain went a whole week without the use of coal. This record was set at 1:24pm on Wednesday 8th May.
This news comes just 2 years after Britain marked it’s first full day without the use of coal. The National Grid Electricity System Operator director, Fintan Slye predicts coal-free generation will eventually become the “new normal”.
“As more and more renewables come on to our energy system, coal-free runs like this are going to be a regular occurrence.
“We believe that by 2025 we will be able to fully operate Great Britain’s electricity system with zero carbon.”
Coal-Free Hours of UK Electricity Generation
PA Graphics
This news comes following a recent report from the Committee on Climate Change: Net Zero - The UK’s Contribution to Stopping Global Warming. This report details a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to “net zero” by 2050. If Great Britain can fully operate it’s electricity through renewables by 2025, this is certainly a step in the right direction.