For the first time in the UK, renewable energy has overtaken fossil fuels as a source of energy for homes and businesses during the last quarter. The record was set during the third quarter of 2019 after the renewable energy sources were able to provide 40% of the energy.
The climate website Carbon Brief carried out an analysis, and according to that analysis, renewable energy sources – including wind turbines, renewable biomass plants, and solar farms – were able to generate a total of 29.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) between July and September. That is about 29.1 TWh more as opposed to what was created by fossil fuels.
This latest milestone is in line with the predictions that were made by National Grid. As per the predictions, 2019 was supposed to be the first year after the Industrial Revolution that zero-carbon electricity, including renewables and nuclear, would be able to generate more power as opposed to coal-fired power and gas. The UK also has a 2025 ban on coal, implying that coal plants are being shut down. According to reports, only four plants will remain functional in the UK, located in Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, and Northern Island.
Wind power, on the other hand, accounts for 20% of the UK’s electricity. It is the strongest source of renewable energy in the UK. Whereas electricity generated from renewable biomass plants made up 12% of the energy, and solar panels created 6%. The Hornsea One project is the world’s biggest offshore wind farm that began the generation of electricity off the Yorkshire coast in February 2019. It has already attained its peak capacity of 1,200 MW.
Kwasi Kwarteng is the minister for energy and clean growth and, while speaking about the record, said, ‘yet another milestone on our path towards ending our contribution to climate change altogether by 2050. Already, we’ve cut emissions by 40% while growing the economy by two thirds since 1990. Now, with more offshore wind projects on the way at record low prices, we plan to go even further and faster in the years to come.’
