UK carbon emissions from electricity hit record low in lockdown – report

(The Guardian, 31 Aug 2020) Electricity demand fell by 13% in second quarter which helped renewables grow to 40% of energy mix.

Carbon emissions from Britain’s electricity system plunged by more than a third during the coronavirus lockdown after renewable energy played its largest ever role helping to keep the lights on, according to a report.

During the spring bank holiday weekend in May, the energy grid’s carbon intensity reached a record low of 21 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour due to a slump in energy demand triggered by Britain’s lockdown measures and a surge in renewable energy.

The quarterly report, undertaken by Imperial College London for Drax, one of the UK’s largest power generators, found that lockdown measures caused Britain’s electricity demand to fall by 13% in the second quarter, compared with the same months last year, which helped the share of renewables to grow by a third to 40% of the energy mix.

The renewable energy data includes electricity generated by wind turbines, solar farms, hydropower projects and burning sustainably sourced wood pellets, known as biomass. The record renewables also led to Britain’s longest coal-free streak on record.

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The Guardian, 31 Aug 2020: UK carbon emissions from electricity hit record low in lockdown – report