UK Energy in 2024: All Tipping Points toward Renewable Energy and Achievement of Net-Zero Emissions Levels
The UK energy system at 2024 has witnessed one of the most huge transformations, taking the step towards the level of net-zero emissions immensely remarkable. A review by the NESO of the public corporation into the electricity and gas systems of Britain showed a variety of significant aspects concerning electricity generation and consumption throughout the country.
Coal phase out: an unprecedented achievement
The last days of using the ancient fuel that has been in use in the UK for 140 years were witnessed when the Ratcliffe Power Station, in September finally ended full decommissioning of coal-fueled energy production. Value of coal dipped to 0.6 percent at the end of 2024 compared to total electricity generation in the UK.
On top of this trend for the country, more and more generation of renewable energy should also offset its counterpart, where more retirement of coal should compensate as it’s a replacement.
It has not only started to use phase out of coal further with its step into more gaining of UK net-zero electricity in broad and global effort which cut dependence on fossil fuel,
Record Break by Renewable Energy
Renewables lead power produced in UK for the whole of 2024. On- for the first time ever, onshore and offshore wind dominated in producing electricity – a 30 per cent share.
The other green energy sources included solar, biomass, and hydro. Together, they accounted for over half of the electricity produced in the UK. In fact, between Q4 2023 and Q3 2024, renewables averaged 51% of the total power generation-the highest ever recorded.
Major milestones in renewable energy in 2024 include:
Highest zero-carbon generation: Renewables contributed 51% of electricity.
Lowest carbon intensity on record: The average carbon intensity of electricity was 125g CO₂/kWh, while the lowest value was 19g CO₂/kWh recorded on April 15.
Highest wind power output: On December 18, wind power was at its highest at 22,523 MW, accounting for 68.3% of Great Britain’s electricity demand.
Electricity Demand Trends in 2024
Generally, electricity demand in 2024 was prone to fluctuating trends caused by one-off factors besides change in seasons. Most energy consumed was purely for heating and lighting during winter.
Summer was very low in demands.
The highest demand throughout the year was on 15 January at 5:30 PM that reached up to 45,096 MW. The lowest demand was recorded on August 22 at 3:30 AM with a reading of 15,074 MW.
Other specific events that happened in the 2024 European Football Championship made many peaks and troughs occur in electricity demand. At half time of the semi-final between the Netherlands and England, power demand rose by 1 GW through power consumed to view the match. NESO met all spikes through alternative sources such as hydroelectric stations, batteries, and other standby powers.
Year of Sustainability Successes
Carbon footprint was the lowest in 2024 in the UK. The steps here have been significant on renewable energy production and the phase-out of coal. All these are evident proof that the UK is moving toward a low-carbon economy seriously; and all these efforts are still significant to the ultimate sustainability goals of the UK, which is achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
All these accomplishments, to a great extent, have been facilitated by government climate-focused policies and investments in renewable energy infrastructure. Now, however, further advancement will depend on continued efforts toward increasing renewable capacity, improving energy storage solutions, and modernizing grid infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
The success that the UK boasts in 2024 shows that the clean energy transition is very much possible and does not lower the merits of renewable sources of energy. There will be a further need for technological advances, policy backing, and increased public awareness as the nation continues to step forward towards its sustainability path so that the country may maintain the same momentum.
Through such events, the UK led other nations by example toward ensuring economic growth alongside environmental responsibility.
Source: NESO