UK Energy Consumption: Solar Energy Generates Electricity More Than Coal

First Posted: Jun 09, 2016 06:21 AM EDT
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United Kingdom solar energy eclipses the coal energy after generating more electricity than the coal throughout the whole month of May. Based on the research analysis of the Carbon Brief, it has produced 50 percent additional electricity compared to the fossil fuel, as the coal use dropped and days were extended.

The UK solar power has produced an estimate of 1,336 GWh of electricity for the month of May, as compared to the coal output of 893 GWh. Experts believe that these milestones were caused by the solar eclipse, including the climate change issues.

UK solar power has exceeded coal for the whole day, which was the first time on April 9, while dropping several times to zero in the early part of May for coal's produced electricity. According to reports, coal power stations have been running less because of age and regulations on the pollution they generate, as well as a series of closed downs of stations in the past months - at Eggborough and Ferrybridge in Yorkshire, Longannet in Scotland and Fiddlers Ferry plant in Chesire.

While the government has already announced the plan to phase out coal-fired electricity by the year 2025, one Conservative believes that the shutdown must be done at least two years earlier, Planning Resource reoported. In an interview, former Tory energy minister Lord Greg Barker argued that the investors must be given specifics, making the UK as the leader in the worldwide campaign for smart and clean energy technologies.  He also took note of the fact that the renewable energy cost, especially the solar panels have declined in the past years, and yet the government has cut the subsidies for the solar power, blocking onshore wind farms while supporting fracking as well as new nuclear power stations.

Meanwhile, other countries like Portugal has set records on renewable energy, as its green energy has been running for four days straight in the early May. In 2015, some 42 percent of Denmark's electricity was reported to be generated by wind turbines, Business Green reported. Also, investment in renewable energy across the globe has surpassed those in gas and coal plants.  In 2015, $286 billion was invested in renewable energy, which is two times over the investments made in fossil fuel power stations. 

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