Renewable electricity overtakes fossil fuels in UK for first time

Renewable energy sources provided more electricity to UK homes and businesses than fossil fuels for the first time over the last quarter, according to new research.

Ten years ago fossil fuels made four fifths of the UK’s electricity supply.

The renewables record was set in the third quarter of this year after its share of the electricity mix rose to 40%.

It is the first time that electricity from British windfarms, solar panels and renewable biomass plants has surpassed fossil fuels since the UK’s first power plant fired up in 1882.

The new milestone confirms predictions made by National Grid that 2019 will be the first year since the Industrial Revolution that zero-carbon electricity – renewables and nuclear – overtakes gas and coal-fired power.

Read the story from The Guardian by Jillian Ambrose - “Renewable electricity overtakes fossil fuels in UK for first time.”

US generates more electricity from renewables than coal for first time ever

The US generated more electricity from renewable sources than coal for the first time ever in April, new federal government data has shown.

The San Gorgonio wind farm near Rancho Mirage in
California. The falling cost of renewables and gas
causing coal to be dislodged as a favored energy
 source for utilities.

Clean energy such as solar and wind provided 23% of US electricity generation during the month, compared with coal’s 20%, according to the Energy Information Administration.

This represents the first time coal has been surpassed by energy sources that do not release pollution such as planet-heating gases.

April was a favorable month for renewables, with low energy demand and an uptick in wind generation. This means that coal may once again pull ahead of renewables again during 2019, although the long-term trends appear to be set.

Read the story from The Guardian by Oliver Milman - “US generates more electricity from renewables than coal for first time ever.”