Latest coal-free run ends after 55 days

Great Britain’s latest coal-free run came to end yesterday (12 August) after 55 days.

It was the second run this year after a record was set in June of 67 days. There was an interruption of just two days in between the two coal-free runs, which was sparked by Drax switching on one of the two remaining coal units at its power station in Yorkshire for testing.

The latest spell came to and end because of a number of factors, including low wind output and tighter margins, according to National Grid ESO. To help meet demand, Uniper’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire was brought online.

The country has operated for 3,300 hours without coal so far in 2020 – 60 per cent of the year.

The 55-day figure was put in context by ESO, which pointed out that it is just two years since a record of 55 hours was set.

Louis Burford, head of solution sales and optimisation at Centrica Business Solutions, welcomed the latest low-carbon stint.

He added: “The 55-day coal-free streak is impressive and the shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewables is going to be key in allowing the UK to hit its carbon reduction targets. However, it will only be possible if we continue the process of re-engineering the way energy is generated, distributed and stored so that we can better manage the peaks and troughs associated with renewable generation.

“A key part of this will be allowing consumers of energy – homes and businesses – to become generators of energy and participate in local energy markets. We’re already seeing a lot of businesses decentralising their energy demands and choosing to install solar generation tech and battery storage on-site, which not only offers cost and carbon benefits but allows them to trade their energy. The move to these types of distributed, flexible energy systems will be essential to increasing the use of renewables within our energy systems.”