The coal free status was announced by the U.K. National Grid and the 24-hour period was on April 21, 2017. The National Grid is a privately operated high-voltage electric power transmission network, connecting power stations and major substations and ensuring that electricity generated anywhere in England, Scotland and Wales can be used to satisfy demand elsewhere. Friday’s lack of coal usage has been declared a “watershed” moment by the National Grid. The fist coal power station in the U.K. opened in 1882, during the height of the Industrial Revolution.
The coal-free day is sure to please those who are concerned about the environmental impact from fossil fuels (whether it matches then agenda of all environmental groups is a different thing, given that most of the energy used on April 21 came from nuclear power stations).
For those who prefer a multi-energy solution, a sizable amount of the energy generated came from solar panels and wind turbines. However, not everyone thinks the mixed energy solution is totally sound for another source of power comes from the burning of wood pellets. There are environmental concerns that using wood pellets (the burning of biomass) to generate electricity contributes to climate warming.
The 24-hour period without coal surpasses the U.K.’s previous longest continuous energy period without coal, which stood at 19 hours on one day in 2016 . The 24-hour period is part of the plans set by the U.K. government to phase out Britain’s last coal-powered plants by 2025. This forms part of Britain’s commitment to cut carbon emissions where the aim is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent compared with 1990 levels by 2050.
Speaking with the BBC about the milestone, Cordi O’Hara of the National Grid said: “To have the first working day without coal since the start of the industrial revolution is a watershed moment in how our energy system is changing.” The spokesperson added: “The UK benefits from highly diverse and flexible sources of electricity. Our energy mix continues to change and National Grid adapts system operation to embrace these changes.”
From the environmental perspective, Hannah Martin, head of energy at Greenpeace U.K. told The Guardian the news is welcome but there remains more to do: “The direction of travel is that both in the UK and globally we are already moving towards a low carbon economy. It is a clear message to any new government that they should prioritize making the UK a world leader in clean, green, technology.”
