UK Zero-Carbon Electricity Overtakes Fossil Fuels for First Time
June 21 2019 - 6:27AM
Dow Jones News
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)
Copyright (c) 2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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