Britain’s transmission grid set a new low record for carbon intensity last month, tumbling to 33g/kWh on Monday 10 April.
80% of electricity in early afternoon on that day came from low carbon sources, including nuclear, figures from backbone operator National Grid ESO reveal.
Throughout the month renewables and nuclear contributed an average 46% share, boosted by wind’s 24.6% contribution.
Gas remained the largest single source, accounting for 34.4% of the nation’s 21 TWh generated in April.
At 2.84 TWh, interconnectors imported electricity from France amounting to nearly five times Britain’s exports for the month.
Coal accounted for only 0.1% of power, down from its 2% share posted as recently as five years ago. April saw 461 consecutive coal-free days, extending March’s total of 213 days.
“As the summer months approach, our ability to utilise renewable sources of generation improves. Our control room experts continue to balance supply and demand second by second”, wrote Craig Dyke, NG-ESO’s head of national control.
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