New statistics released by analysts at Carbon Brief show that more
electricity was generated by wind than coal in 2016.
This is the first time that wind has outperformed coal for an entire year,
generating 11.5% of the UK’s power, compared to just 9.2% from coal.
Overall, a quarter of the UK’s electricity came from renewable sources in
2016.
Over the festive season, renewables were star performers. On Christmas Day
2016, wind generated 32% of the UK’s power – more than any other energy source.
Renewables are also helping traditional British companies find new
opportunities as times change, with Siemens opening a large turbine factory
in Hull, and Harland & Wolff in Belfast supplying steel foundations to the
offshore wind industry.
Emma Pinchbeck, Executive Director, RenewableUK commented: “This is a
historic and exciting change to our power infrastructure.
“As old-fashioned coal is phased out, renewable power technologies like
wind are stepping up to make sure consumers have reliable energy without
the damaging health impacts of coal pollution – as well as delivering for
the UK economy”.
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