Zero carbon energy overtakes fossil fuels for UK electricity production

June 20, 2019

There has been a significant rise renewable energy, which in 2009 was producing only about 2% of our energy needs. Now, renewables are producing 24% of the country's energy, and this is a trend that will continue, giving us hope that we can reach the UK's stated goal of having 'net zero' carbon emissions by 2050.

The term 'net zero' means that any reminaing carbon emissions will be offset, either by planting trees or by using other means to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

In the first five months of 2019, 48% of all of our electricity came from zero carbon sources (24% renewables, 18% nuclear, 6% imports), whilst 47% came from fossil fuels ((41% gas, 3% imports, 3% coal). The remaining 5% was generated by burning biomass.

It's great to know that coal has almost been phased out, with energy production from coal dropping from 30% ten years ago to just 3% now.

We have a long way to go, but this is a clear sign that we are heading for a cleaner, greener future. The technologies to make it happen exist, they work and they are improving all the time.

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