Electric Insights

There was little to celebrate in 2020, but at least clean energy offered a source of good news.

Ten years ago, fossil fuels provided three quarters of Britain’s electricity, some 20 times more than renewables.

2020 was certainly an anomalous year for the energy sector; but many changes seen in the power system simply reflect and amplify existing trends and give us a glimpse of its near future.

Britain’s wind farms hit an all-time high in 2020

As Britain moves towards more renewable power, the value of having control over the timing of output is coming into sharp relief.

Demand for electricity last quarter was 4% lower than the year before, as the winter was slightly milder and the second national lockdown kept demand suppressed.

2020 was yet another year of extremes, with the power system moving further into new territory.