Clean energy has become the main source of energy in the UK. For the first time since the industrial revolution clean energy is forecast to account for over half of the electricity generated in the UK.
According to the National Grid, the UK’s transmission operator, 2019 is a “landmark tipping point” in the country’s transition to clean energy.
Annual power generation data from the last decade reveals that the UK’s reliance on cleaner energy sources (wind, solar, nuclear, hydro power and storage) will overtake fossil fuels (coal and gas fired power generation) this year.
The historic achievement comes after the UK Government set a new target of net zero emissions by 2050.
The move to a clean power system requires significant upgrades to the UK’s transmission network. The National Grid said that it is investing around £1.3 billion each year to support the transition.
John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, said: “The incredible progress that Britain has made in the past ten years means we can now say 2019 will be the year net zero power beats fossil fuel fired generation for the first time. Having reached this landmark tipping point, the question is what are we doing today to get to net zero as quickly as possible?
“We take our responsibility to run the UK’s electricity and gas energy systems, in accordance with our licence obligations, extremely seriously. We seek to maintain the integrity of these systems while keeping energy costs down for UK homes and businesses. But as we look to the future we are proud to champion world-leading feats of British engineering as we move to a net zero power grid.
“The interconnectors that connect our electricity grid into Norway’s hydro power are part of this story, as is having the know-how to bring renewable generation onstream to complement conventional sources of generating power. This will help accelerate our progress towards delivering cleaner, greener energy for Britain’s homes, our travel and our work as quickly as possible.”