This year, for the first time since the Industrial Revolution, more of Britain’s electricity production will come from zero carbon energy sources, than fossil fuels.
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According to National Grid, annual power generation data from the last decade shows Britain’s reliance on cleaner energy sources will overtake fossil fuels this year.
This marks a historic achievement in Britain’s journey towards the UK Government’s target of net zero emissions by 2050, demonstrating leadership in addressing a global challenge.
In May, Britain clocked up its first coal free fortnight and generated record levels of solar power for two consecutive days, powering more than a quarter of the country’s daily electricity consumption.
Britain’s energy system is in the midst of a rapid and complex transformation, and National Grid is playing a key role in that historic change.
The continued move to a clean power system will require significant upgrades to the transmission network, and National Grid is investing around £1.3bn each year to support this transition.
Huge strides are also being made in areas such as carbon capture and storage and investing over £2bn in new interconnector projects.
2019 marks a turning point.
Several significant achievements have helped zero carbon beat fossil fuels so far this year, including the fact that 64.5 per cent of electricity imported to Britain through under water cables, called interconnectors, has come from zero carbon sources.
But as Britain powers towards a new era of clean energy, public concern about climate change is at an all-time high[ii].
New research commissioned by National Grid[iii] found that “climate anxiety” is exacerbated by a perceived lack of urgency around addressing the problem and the impact this will have on future generations.
Nearly seven out of ten (69 per cent) of Brits who are concerned about climate change said it was because they believe it’s not being addressed urgently enough.
Unaddressed, over a third (38 per cent) of young people said their concerns about climate change would drive them to join a protest, and nearly a fifth (18 per cent) of 18-24 year olds said they are prepared to skip school or work to do this.
By 2030, National Grid will have at least six interconnectors operating in Britain, through which 90 per cent of electricity imported will be from zero carbon sources.
Even sooner, by 2025, National Grid’s interconnectors will provide enough energy to power eight million homes via zero carbon sources. ■
A low pressure wave forming along a cold front will track across the New England coast this morning, bringing a period of rain, heavy at times for much of New England, especially for Maine today.