Green energy surpasses coal output in first quarter

Renewables provided over 22 per cent of UK power during the first quarter of the year, comfortably surpassing coal power output. 

Renewables are playing an increasingly important role in the UK’s power mix and the trend is set to continue, according to the latest quarterly update from analyst firm EnAppSys.

The energy market analysts reported renewables share of the power mix reached 22.4 per cent in the first quarter of the year, comfortably surpassing coal power which provided 16.2 per cent of the mix and nuclear power on 19 per cent.

Only gas provided more power, meeting 35.4 per cent of demand.

Paul Verrill, a director of EnAppSys, said: “The changes we have seen in the market are driving much reduced levels of carbon emissions, with further coal closures and new offshore wind farms likely to extend this trend.

“However, as the market transitions into a low carbon future this has already created certain challenges and how we deal with these changes will prove to be a defining factor in maintaining a secure and low carbon energy future for this country.”