• Historic Coal Exit: On September 30, coal-generated electricity officially ended after 142 years, with Ratcliffe power station shutting down.
• Renewables Surge: Wind energy became Britain’s top electricity source for the first time, contributing 30%, while zero-carbon generation hit a record 51%.
• Demand Peaks: The highest demand of 45,096MW occurred on January 15, while the lowest was 15,074MW on August 22, showing seasonal energy use patterns.

Great Britain marked a milestone in 2024 as coal generation ended on September 30 with the closure of Ratcliffe power station. This marked the final chapter of 142 years of coal-powered electricity, with coal accounting for just 0.6% of total electricity generation last year. Renewables, including wind, solar, and biomass, filled the gap, contributing over 50% of electricity generation for the entire year.

A Record-Breaking Year:

2024 saw historic achievements in wind energy and carbon reduction:

• Carbon intensity: Averaged 125g CO2/kWh, with a record low of 19g CO2/kWh on April 15.
• Wind milestones: Peak generation reached 22,523MW on December 18, supplying 68.3% of the country’s electricity.

Related Article: UK Wind Power Hits Historic 30GW Milestone

Electricity Generation Overview:

Wind emerged as the largest electricity source, providing 30% of the national supply. Renewables consistently contributed over 50% across all four quarters, averaging 51% for the year.

Managing Demand:

Electricity demand fluctuated throughout the year, peaking at 45,096MW on January 15 at 5:30pm and falling to 15,074MW on August 22 at 3:30am.

The EURO 2024 football tournament caused noticeable demand spikes. The England vs Spain final led to a 1.3GW increase in demand at halftime, managed using 700MW of hydro, 400MW of batteries, and increased output from existing units.

The shift towards renewable energy and the successful handling of demand peaks highlight Britain’s progress toward a net-zero electricity system.

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