Non-carbon-emitting electricity generation in UK hits new highs

Statistics released by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) shortly before Christmas reveal that low-carbon generation accounted for 54.4 per cent of all electricity contributed to the National Grid in the third quarter of 2017, with renewables’ share accounting for 30 per cent of the total, a record for this period of the year. Renewables’ share was up almost 5 per cent year on year, owing to increased generation capacity, BEIS added.

Fuel used for electricity generation Source: ONS

The proportion of energy coming from gas and coal-fired generation fell to a record low of 42 per cent over the three-month period, while nuclear’s share fell by less than 1 per cent to 24 per cent. The UK remained a net importer of energy over the period, with 7 per cent coming from imports. Demand also fell over the quarter, with consumption at 68TWhr, some 2 per cent lower than the same period in 2016.