Renewables provide half of UK’s electricity for the first time

Favourable weather conditions during a spell one day last week helped the UK’s renewable energy sector set a new record for sustainable power production

Renewable sources of energy briefly met 50.7 per cent of the UK’s electricity needs, reported the National Grid – the organisation responsible for power supply management around the UK – at lunchtime on Wednesday.

Clear skies and strong winds had created ideal weather conditions for solar and wind energy production. Backed up by other renewable sources including wood pellet burning and hydropower, renewable output reached a record 19.3GW at midday, enough to meet more than half of the 35.4GW power demand.

For the first time ever wind nuclear and solar were all generating more than gas and coal combined

Adding nuclear into the equation, low-carbon power sources were generating 73.9 per cent of the country’s electricity.

“For the first time ever this lunchtime wind, nuclear and solar were all generating more than both gas and coal combined,” tweeted the National Grid.

The news comes three weeks after Britain had its first coal-free day since fossil fuel use began during the Industrial Revolution.


Discover the good news that matters

From environmental breakthroughs to community action, our journalism uncovers solutions to society’s challenges. Sound like your kind of news? Support good journalism about good things, by becoming a Positive News member and joining the community that is changing the news for good.

Because the world needs more solutions

When you become a Positive News supporter, you join an amazing community of people who believe in the power of focusing on solutions.

Will you join them and get behind what's going right?