“These figures highlight the growing importance of solar energy as a low-carbon and low-cost source of electricity.” The UK passed the milestone of 1,000 hours of power without coal on 13 July. A revival by the country’s last eight coal power plants earlier this year when cold weather forced up gas prices proved shortlived. But with a new generation of gas-fired turbines and more wind farms coming online, there is now enough renewable energy to meet demand for electricity from all but one day in winter. The UK government has pledged to phase out coal completely by 2025 and two further coal plants are set to close later this year. Renewables supplied 30.1% of the country’s electricity in the first three months of 2018.
The UK passed the milestone of 1,000 hours of power without coal on 13 July. A revival by the country’s last eight coal power plants earlier this year when cold weather forced up gas prices proved shortlived. But with a new generation of gas-fired turbines and more wind farms coming online, there is now enough renewable energy to meet demand for electricity from all but one day in winter. The UK government has pledged to phase out coal completely by 2025 and two further coal plants are set to close later this year. Renewables supplied 30.1% of the country’s electricity in the first three months of 2018.