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Britain in two-week coal-free record | Britain in two-week coal-free record |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Britain has not used coal to generate electricity for two weeks - the longest period since the 1880s. | Britain has not used coal to generate electricity for two weeks - the longest period since the 1880s. |
The body which manages the way electricity is generated said coal was last used at 15:12 on 17 May. | The body which manages the way electricity is generated said coal was last used at 15:12 on 17 May. |
Fintan Slye, director of the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO), said the British record for solar power had also been broken this month. | Fintan Slye, director of the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO), said the British record for solar power had also been broken this month. |
Britain broke the record for a week of no coal earlier this month, which Mr Slye said would be a "new normal". | Britain broke the record for a week of no coal earlier this month, which Mr Slye said would be a "new normal". |
The government plans to phase out the UK's last coal-fired plants by 2025 to reduce carbon emissions and Mr Slye said there was "still a lot of work to do". | The government plans to phase out the UK's last coal-fired plants by 2025 to reduce carbon emissions and Mr Slye said there was "still a lot of work to do". |
But he added: "As more and more renewables come onto the system, we're seeing things progress at an astonishing rate." | But he added: "As more and more renewables come onto the system, we're seeing things progress at an astonishing rate." |
The world's first centralised public coal-fired generator opened in 1882 at Holborn Viaduct in London. | The world's first centralised public coal-fired generator opened in 1882 at Holborn Viaduct in London. |
As coal plants take six hours to warm up, the ESO knows that it is on course to reach two weeks without coal after not using any since 17 May. | As coal plants take six hours to warm up, the ESO knows that it is on course to reach two weeks without coal after not using any since 17 May. |
The longest period without coal before now ended on 9 May, when Britain lasted just over a week. | The longest period without coal before now ended on 9 May, when Britain lasted just over a week. |
Before that, Britain had a coal-free period of 90 hours in April. | Before that, Britain had a coal-free period of 90 hours in April. |
"As more and more renewables come on to the system, we're seeing things progress at an astonishing rate.," said Mr Slye. | "As more and more renewables come on to the system, we're seeing things progress at an astonishing rate.," said Mr Slye. |
"2018 was our greenest year to date, and so far, 2019 looks like it has the potential to beat it," he added. | "2018 was our greenest year to date, and so far, 2019 looks like it has the potential to beat it," he added. |
On 14 May, Britain generated a quarter of its energy from the sun - the largest proportion yet. | On 14 May, Britain generated a quarter of its energy from the sun - the largest proportion yet. |
When coal has not been used over the past fortnight, solar, wind, nuclear, gas and some hydro-generated power have been taking up the slack, the ESO said. | When coal has not been used over the past fortnight, solar, wind, nuclear, gas and some hydro-generated power have been taking up the slack, the ESO said. |
During the two-week period, on average gas made up nearly 40% of Britain's suppliers, nuclear 20%, wind 13% and other sources making up the rest. | |
Chris Skidmore, energy and clean growth minister, said: "The UK has the largest offshore wind capacity on the planet, can generate more than a quarter of our electricity needs from the sun and last year, more than half of our electricity came from low carbon sources." | Chris Skidmore, energy and clean growth minister, said: "The UK has the largest offshore wind capacity on the planet, can generate more than a quarter of our electricity needs from the sun and last year, more than half of our electricity came from low carbon sources." |