2020 was UK’s ‘greenest year on record’ for power generation as renewables surge and coal declines

National Grid is confident carbon-free electricity generation is on the horizon, writes Harry Cockburn

Storms and windy weather helped set new renewable energy records over 2020 (Getty)

Last year was the UK’s “greenest year on record” for power generation with record levels of renewable power and the country seeing its longest period without coal contributing to the energy mix since the industrial revolution.

The National Grid said this meant CO2 emissions per unit of electricity consumed reached a new low.

The Grid’s electricity system operator (ESO) said:  “According to our data, last year’s average carbon intensity was 181gCO2/kWh – continuing a trend which has seen the system decarbonise by 66 per cent in the last seven years.