In a remarkable shift, the United Kingdom experienced a substantial 22% year-on-year decrease in electricity generated from fossil fuels in 2023, marking the lowest levels since 1957, according to a detailed analysis by Carbon Brief.
The analysis disclosed that the total electricity generation from fossil fuels in 2023 reached 104TWh, representing a 66-year low. Notably, since its peak in 2008, electricity from fossil fuels has plummeted by two-thirds, accounting for a decline of 199TWh. Coal, in particular, witnessed a substantial drop of 115TWh (97%), while gas declined by 80TWh (45%).
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This decline can be attributed to the rapid expansion of renewable energy, which has surged six-fold since 2008, contributing 113TWh, as well as a reduction in electricity demand, down by 21% since 2008, equating to 83TWh.
As a consequence of these shifts, fossil fuels constituted only 33% of the UK's electricity supplies in 2023, representing their lowest-ever share. Gas comprised 31%, coal slightly over 1%, and oil just below 1%, as per the analysis.
In contrast, low-carbon sources dominated the landscape, making up 56% of the total. Within this segment, renewables accounted for 43%, with nuclear contributing 13%. Imports constituted 7%, while other sources, including waste incineration, made up the remaining 3%.
The culmination of these developments resulted in the lowest-ever carbon intensity for UK electricity generated in 2023, with an average of 162g of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour (gCO2/kWh). This noteworthy achievement underscores the nation's commitment to transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
