Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Jillian Ambrose

UK use of gas and coal for electricity at lowest since 1957, figures show

Wind turbines in front of the Fiddlers Ferry decommissioned coal fired power station in Cheshire, England
Wind turbines in front of the Fiddlers Ferry decommissioned coal-fired power station in Cheshire. Last year was the third this decade that renewable energy sources outperformed fossil fuels. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The amount of electricity generated by the UK’s gas and coal power plants fell by 20% last year, with consumption of fossil fuels at its lowest level since 1957.

Not since Harold Macmillan was the UK prime minister and the Beatles’ John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time has the UK used less coal and gas.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.