Power system of The uk 2020 recorded the greenest year in its history, the National Grid said on Monday, responsible for network operations, with a record Energy Renewable and longest period without coal production since the Industrial Revolution.
The UK has a target of achieving zero net emissions by 2050, which will require a huge increase in its capacity from renewable sources.
“Record-breaking levels in coal-free power generation and energy from zero-carbon sources were important factors due to national carbon lockdown … while the minimum demand for electricity also contributed,” said National Grid.
Measures to stop the spread of the virus negatively affected electricity demand in the UK last year.
More than 5,147 hours of coal can be supplied to the country in 2020, compared to 3,666 hours in 2019, the National Grid said.
Overall, coal supplied 1.6% of the UK’s electricity in 2020, compared to a 25% share five years earlier.
The UK plans to close its coal-fired power plants in 2024 as part of efforts to reach its target of zero net carbon emissions by 2024.
The record for wind energy share in the array was also broken several times in 2020, when wind contributed to a record 60% of Britain’s electricity generation on 26 August.
According to the National Grid, solar energy also reached near historic milestones, supplying one-third of the country’s electricity on several days of May.
