Clean Electricity Overtaking Fossil Fuels in Britain
For the first time since the Industrial Revolution, Britain is obtaining more power from zero-carbon sources than fossil fuels.
The milestone has been passed for the first five months of 2019. National Grid says clean energy has nudged ahead with 48% of generation, against 47% for coal and gas, BBC reported.
The rest is biomass burning. The transformation reflects the precipitous decline of coal energy, and a boom from wind and solar.
National Grid says that in the past decade, coal generation will have plunged from 30% to 3%.
Meanwhile, wind power has shot up from 1% to 19%. Mini-milestones have been passed along the way. In May, for instance, Britain clocked up its first coal-free fortnight and generated record levels of solar power for two consecutive days.
The shift is being driven by the need to cut emissions of the greenhouse gases that are over-heating the climate. The electricity sector was seen as the easiest place to start.
"Over the last 10 years there’s been real progress in de-carbonization of the energy system – but 2019 is going to be a key milestone,” John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, said.
"It's the first time since the Industrial Revolution that more electricity has been produced from zero and low-carbon sources rather than fossil fuels. It's tremendously exciting because it's such a tipping point," he added.
source: Financial Tribune
Top News
Six last month
Iran Alloy Steel Company intends to purchase 12 tons of ferrotungsten through public tender
Iran Alloy Steel Company intends to purchase 150 tons of Low-Carbon Ferro Manganese through public tender
Gold price faces worst week since 2021 as Fed signals no rate-cut rush
Iron ore price flirts with key $100/t level on firm demand, China stimulus hopes
Gold loses some luster after Trump’s decisive win
Hedge funds slash bullish wagers on gold over Trump election win
Resolute Mining says it will pay Mali $160 million in tax dispute
Families gather at South African mine shaft where hundreds are feared stuck underground
Higher silver supply to reduce global deficit by 4% in 2024
Sierra Leone woos miners to clean energy with $11 billion plan
Alrosa plans production cuts and staff reduction for 2025
Chile’s rare salt flat fish face threat from lithium mining project
Endeavour Silver raises $73m for Pitarrilla project
BHP to spend up to $14 billion on Chilean copper expansion
Chile’s rare salt flat fish faces threat from lithium mining project
British Columbia creates new mining ministry to tackle critical minerals amid doubts over capacity
China’s germanium, gallium ban could cost the US $3.4 billion
South Africa police standoff with illegal gold miners escalates
Iran Alloy Steel Company intends to purchase 150 tons of Low-Carbon Ferro Manganese through public tender
Iran Alloy Steel Company intends to purchase 12 tons of ferrotungsten through public tender
Iran Alloy Steel Company intends to purchase 150 tons of Low-Carbon Ferro Manganese through public tender
Sierra Leone woos miners to clean energy with $11 billion plan
Alrosa plans production cuts and staff reduction for 2025
Chile’s rare salt flat fish face threat from lithium mining project
Endeavour Silver raises $73m for Pitarrilla project
Chile’s rare salt flat fish faces threat from lithium mining project
British Columbia creates new mining ministry to tackle critical minerals amid doubts over capacity
Newmont sells Ontario gold mine to Orla for $850 million
