Q3 2016 | Electric Insights

The quarter’s headlines

by Dr Iain Staffell – Imperial College London

This issue focusses on the period July to September 2016 and looks at the rise of clean energy, how it has halved CO2 emissions in the last five years, and the impacts this is having.

For the first time, low-carbon energy sources have produced more than half of Britain’s electricity, fuelled by the dramatic rise of renewable energy. Wind, solar and biomass have grown to supply 20% this quarter.

by Dr Iain Staffell – Imperial College London

This quarter saw a major milestone quietly creep up on the industry: for the first time more than half of Britain’s electricity came from low-carbon sources.

The share of nuclear, biomass, hydro, wind, solar and French imports peaked at 50.2%. This share has risen gradually from just 20% in 2010 and the trend is showing no signs of slowing down, although high-carbon generation will be greater in the winter months due to higher demand.

by Dr Iain Staffell – Imperial College London

With the rise of clean energy and the switch from coal to gas, the carbon intensity of Britain’s electricity is at an all-time low.

Emissions are down a third from this time last year and 56% lower than four years ago. During Q3, electricity consumption released 15 MT of CO2, around two tonnes per second.

by Dr Iain Staffell – Imperial College London

Britain’s electricity was completely coal-free for nearly six days over the last quarter. Coal plants have been pushed off the system by competition from gas, nuclear and renewables.

May the 5th 2016 was a historic day, the first time since 1881 that Britain burnt no coal to produce its electricity. Far from being a one- off, this has continued to become the norm over summer.

by Dr Iain Staffell – Imperial College London

Average electricity prices over the quarter remained stable at £37/MWh, but from hour to hour they are becoming more volatile.

Negative power prices are happening more frequently, and this quarter saw the highest power prices for several years.

by Dr Iain Staffell – Imperial College London

The move from dispatchable fossil towards weather-dependent renewables is forcing the power system into new territory.

Britain experienced its lowest ever demand net of renewables, due to high wind and low demand overnight on Sunday 21st of August.

by Dr Iain Staffell – Imperial College London

The last twelve months saw 3.2 GW of new wind and solar farms come online and a quarter of the country’s coal capacity go offline.

Ironbridge, Ferrybridge and Rugeley closed, as did Longannet – the last coal plant in Scotland.

Q3 2016 report

The quarter’s headlines

This issue focusses on the period July to September 2016 and looks at the rise of clean energy, how it has halved CO2 emissions in the last five years, and the impacts this is having.

Clean electricity hits 50%

This quarter saw a major milestone quietly creep up on the industry: for the first time more than half of Britain’s electricity came from low-carbon sources.

Carbon intensity at an all-time low

With the rise of clean energy and the switch from coal to gas, the carbon intensity of Britain’s electricity is at an all-time low.

Moving towards coal-free electricity

Britain’s electricity was completely coal-free for nearly six days over the last quarter. Coal plants have been pushed off the system by competition from gas, nuclear and renewables.

Volatile power prices are the new normal

Average electricity prices over the quarter remained stable at £37/MWh, but from hour to hour they are becoming more volatile.

Challenging system stability

The move from dispatchable fossil towards weather-dependent renewables is forcing the power system into new territory.

Capacity and production statistics

The last twelve months saw 3.2 GW of new wind and solar farms come online and a quarter of the country’s coal capacity go offline.

Live Grid Data