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.

May 2020 saw both the greenest month on record (average carbon intensity 143gCO2/kWh) and the lowest carbon intensity ever seen on the system – 46gCO2/kWh on May 24.

The record CO2 low means the energy sector is making meaningful progress as the UK government aims to reach its legally binding net zero emissions target by 2050.

The National Grid is aiming to become entirely carbon free by 2025, an ambition the head of the organisation has described as a “stretching target”, with considerable increases in use of renewable power still required.

The Grid noted the record for the highest ever level of wind generation was broken several times during the year – most recently on 18 December (17.2GW) – while 26 August saw wind contributing its highest ever share to the electricity mix (59.9 per cent).

Solar power also set new records for its highest ever level of generation (9.7GW) and its highest share in the mix (34 per cent) – “comfortably providing a third of Britain’s electricity supplies on several occasions in May”, the operator said.

Rob Rome, interim head of national control at National Grid ESO, said the records achieved last year indicate the UK’s power sector was transforming at “astonishing” speed.

He said: “2020 has been a record-breaking year for Great Britain’s electricity system. The grid continues to transform at an astonishing rate as we move away from fossil fuel generation and harness the growth of renewable power sources.

“In our role balancing Britain’s electricity supply and demand, we’re continuously innovating with industry to improve the grid’s resilience and make sure it’s ready to exploit the potential of these renewables.

“It’s an exciting time, and the progress we’re seeing with these records underlines the significant strides we’re taking towards our ambition of being able to operate the system carbon free by 2025.

“That 2025 ambition is a stretching target. Last year gave us a flavour of some of the challenges ahead, as our control room worked 24/7 to operate the electricity system in unprecedented conditions.

“But I’m proud to say every action we’ve taken has delivered safe, secure and reliable low carbon electricity at the same time as minimising costs for consumers.”

In total coal contributed just 1.6 per cent to the UK’s electricity mix in 2020, compared with around 25 per cent only five years ago, and all coal-fired power generation is set to cease by 2024, in line with national emissions targets.