New data has shown that the volume of UK electricity generated from fossil fuels has reached its lowest-ever recorded level.
The latest Drax Electric Insights report, which covers the third quarter of 2024, revealed that electricity generation from fossil fuels fell below 5GW for the first time in August of this year, with the carbon intensity of the UK’s electricity network also hitting a new record low of 78g/kWh as a result.
The third quarter of 2024 also saw the closest the nation has ever come to meeting its entire electricity demand with wind generation. On the morning of 22 August, grid demand was just under 20GW, and wind was producing 18.5GW, leading to interconnectors exporting electricity and pumped storage charging at close to full capacity.
The record low fossil fuel generation in Q3 2024 coincides with the closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station, Ratcliffe-On-Soar, on 30 September. The UK is the fifth nation to phase out coal power, and the first of the G7 nations to do so.
Read more: Current+
