UK low-carbon renewable power is on course for a major milestone in 2024, overtaking fossil fuel generation for the first full year.
That is according to a new report from global energy think tank Ember, which claims wind power is also close to becoming the single largest source of UK power for the first time.
Rising renewables, low demand and cheaper power imports all helped reduce fossil fuel use in the UK power system to record lows, the report claimed.
For the first full year wind, solar and hydropower will generate more electricity than all fossil fuels combined, it said.
The report reviews power generation statistics for the UK across 2024. Earlier this year, the UK saw the closure of its last coal power station.
Ember claims low-carbon renewable sources will reach a record high in 2024, generating 37% of UK electricity (103TWh), overtaking fossil fuels (97TWh, 35%) for the first time.
Just three years ago, in 2021, fossil fuels generated 46% of UK electricity, while low-carbon renewables generated 27%.
Including biomass, renewables overtook fossil fuels for the first time in 2020. However, Ember’s analysis raises concerns about biomass being categorised as clean power in the UK, given the significant emissions risks.
Ember predicts gas power use is set to decrease by 13% (-13 TWh) in 2024 compared to the previous year, displaced by electricity imports and clean power.
Meanwhile, the think tank said wind is well on the way to becoming the largest single source of UK power. Depending on December’s conditions, wind could overtake gas as the UK’s largest source of electricity in 2024, it said. UK wind power is currently forecast to generate 29% of UK electricity in 2024, totalling 82TWh, which is 3TWh less than fossil gas (85TWh, 30%).
Senior energy and climate analyst for the UK at Ember Frankie Mayo said: “The renewables future is here. This long-awaited milestone is a testament to how much progress the UK has made.
“It’s time to seize the moment, to cut reliance on expensive gas with new renewables, storage, and grid upgrades.
“With the phase-out of coal power completed this year, reducing gas use is the next big opportunity for the country.”