The UK’s era of coal-free electricity begins

1st October 2024 marks a historic moment: the first day of the UK coal-free power era. Looking back at the last decade shows the astonishing pace at which the UK achieved this milestone. UK policies have incentivised the rapid deployment of renewable energy over the last decade, while simultaneously tightening restrictions on high polluting coal power plants. These policies have delivered a large drop in carbon emissions from electricity generation, from 160 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2012 to 41 MtCO2e in 2023.

As the UK now targets another ambitious decarbonisation goal — clean power by 2030 — keeping the lessons of coal phase-out in mind will be critical, as well as preparing for the unique challenges that will be faced as the UK targets economy-wide decarbonisation.

Read the full report here.