NGG National Grid Plc New

By Dieter Holger

Britain is on track to use a higher share of electricity from cleaner-energy sources than from fossil fuels for the first time since the Industrial Revolution.

Data shows that electricity from wind, solar, nuclear, hydro power and storage will overtake coal- and gas-fired electricity this year, U.K. natural-gas and electricity network operator National Grid PLC (NG.LN) said Friday.

In 2009, fossil fuels accounted for 75.6% of electricity generation compared with 22.8% from zero-carbon energy. From January to May this year, cleaner energy generated 47.9% of electricity, slightly above the 46.6% from fossil fuels. The utility said its data didn't include biomass power.

In May, Britain went two weeks without using electricity from coal for the first time in modern history, generating record levels of solar power for two days straight to provide more than a quarter of the country's electricity. Critics have pointed out that Britain still used coal-fired electricity sourced from its European neighbors.

However, renewable energy sourced from other nations will help spur the shift to clean energy, including National Grid's North Sea Link plugging Britain into Norway's hydro power network.

"This will help accelerate our progress toward delivering cleaner, greener energy for Britain's homes, our travel and our work as quickly as possible," John Pettigrew, chief executive at National Grid, said.

National Grid said it invests around 1.3 billion pounds ($1.7 billion) a year to support Britain's transition into green energy and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. By 2030, the company says will have six interconnectors to other nations that will import 90% of their energy from zero-carbon sources. The company estimates that it will power 8 million homes with cleaner energy by 2025.

"Having reached this landmark tipping point, the question is what are we doing today to get to net zero as quickly as possible?" Mr. Pettigrew said.

Write to Dieter Holger at dieter.holger@dowjones.com; @dieterholger

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 21, 2019 06:12 ET (10:12 GMT)

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