On Friday 21 April 2017 Britain went an entire day without using coal to generate electricity.
According to the National Grid this is the first time this has happened since the Industrial Revolution. It is believed that Britain has used coal to generate electricity every day since the first centralised public coal-fired generator opened at Holborn Viaduct in London in 1882.
Previously the longest continuous energy period without coal in Britain was 19 hours, which first occurred last May and again on Thursday 20 April this year. This shows some early indication of progress as the Government plans to phase out coal-fired power plants across Britain by 2025 in order to cut carbon emissions.
Cordi O'Hara of the National Grid commented: 'To have the first working day without coal since the start of the industrial revolution is a watershed moment in how our energy system is changing. The UK benefits from highly diverse and flexible sources of electricity. Our energy mix continues to change and National Grid adapts system operation to embrace these changes.'
It is thought that around half of energy generated on coal-free Friday came from natural gas, with approximately a quarter coming from nuclear plants.
