From 1882 until 10 May this year, coal has powered the nation. Could the UK be one of the first countries to end coal power altogether?
The Government is planning to phase out coal energy completely by 2025 (Image: PA)
At midnight on 10 May 2016, the UK hit an energy milestone. For the first time in over 100 years, the amount of coal being used by the national grid to power Britain’s kettles, computer and televisions fell to zero. And then it stayed at zero for four hours.
Two days later, this time for five hours, coal usage fell to zero again. Nuclear, wind, hydro and solar energy powered the national grid in coal’s place. By 13 May, the needle had hit zero four times, for a total of around 25 hours.
This historic turning point came on the eve of a Government consultation on phasing out coal energy completely by 2025.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy and Climate Change told The Independent:
“As part of our plans for a cleaner energy future, we are one of the first countries to announce our intention to consult on ending unabated coal by 2025,
“We will issue this consultation shortly.”
Read more: Independent