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 between July and September. That is about 29.1 TWh more as opposed to what was created by fossil fuels.
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.
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.
