Oil and gas production 75 per cent below peak as renewables hits record high
At the same time fossil fuels – mainly gas – fell to a record low share of 31.8% of generation, with Britain's last coal plant shutting in September 2024, the figures from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero show.
READ MORE: Scottish oil and gas firm to shut down with jobs lost and staff 'unpaid since May'
The share from low carbon sources, which includes nuclear as well as renewable sources, rose to nearly two thirds of overall generation (64.7%), a new record high.
But gas remained the single biggest source of UK power, at 30.4%, still slightly outpacing wind's contribution of 29.2% of generation – although that is likely to change as more wind farms come online.
Greenpeace UK's head of climate, Mel Evans, described the renewables figures as 'fantastic news'.
'More of our electricity than ever before is produced by the wind and the sun as we continue to move away from dirty gas.
'It's also what we are seeing globally as last year renewables made up over nine tenths of new electricity capacity.'
But she said that with energy bills 'sky high', the figures highlighted the absurdity of continuing to allow a smaller and smaller proportion of gas to dictate the price of power.
Under the current system, the price that consumers pay for their electricity is mostly set by the cost of gas, driving up the cost of what households have to pay for power from renewables and nuclear.
'Right now, expensive gas power is pushing up energy bills for households and businesses,' Evans said.
'Until we reform this system and stop gas from setting electricity prices, we're not going to enjoy the full benefits and lower prices that more renewable power can bring.'
The figures also showed oil production fell by 8.8% and natural gas production was down 10% with output of both fossil fuels falling to record low levels.
READ MORE: 'Misleading': Ed Miliband called out over Scottish wind farm claim
Demand for coal fell in 2024, by 52% to 2.1 million tonnes compared to 2023, as the fuel mix shifted towards other sources of fuel, particularly for electricity generation.
The figures also reveal aviation fuel demand rose by 9.4% in 2024, and is now 1.3% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Energy minister Michael Shanks said: 'For the first year on record, renewables generated more than half of the UK's electricity production.
'This clean, secure, homegrown power is exactly what we want more of through our clean power mission – further reducing our exposure to the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets.
'In reaching this milestone, we are on the path to securing our energy system so families and businesses are no longer exposed to fossil fuel markets we can't control.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Westminster 'absolutely terrified' when Nicola Sturgeon visited
Mhairi Black, who spent nine years as an SNP MP, made the claim in an interview with The Herald in which she also praised the former First Minister as 'possibly the best politician I can think of UK-wide'. Speaking of Sturgeon's visits to Westminster as first minister, she said: 'They were terrified of her, absolutely terrified. When she was in the building it spread like wildfire. 'You could see they're actually quite shaken at the very fact that she's here in person.' Black also praised Sturgeon, adding: 'I've always said I think she is possibly the best politician I can think of UK-wide as to competency and being able to answer a question. I've never seen her shaken. She was always unflappable and I know from experience how difficult that is to do. So, as a politician I thought she was s**t hot.' (Image: NQ) Asked about Sturgeon's legacy, Black said: 'Undoubtedly no one can take away that she reached levels of influence and popularity and fear that I don't think anyone else has in recent memory … I can't think of anybody who has had that kind of impact, certainly on UK politics.' Last week, Black announced she has quit the SNP – with the party's 'capitulation' on trans rights being part of the reason for her decision. She stressed she still supports Scottish independence but there have been 'too many times' when she did not agree with decisions made by the party. 'Basically, for a long time, I've not agreed with quite a few decisions that have been made,' she said. 'There have just been too many times when I've thought, 'I don't agree with what you've done there' or the decision or strategy that has been arrived at.' Black added: 'I thought the party could be doing better about Palestine as well.' The former MP said: 'If anything, I'm probably a bit more left-wing than I have been. I don't think I have changed all that much. I feel like the party needs to change a lot more."
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
I tried Clydebank's new Bangin' Pizza hotspot
Friday night, the beginning of many workers' weekend and what a way to kick start the two-day break than trying Clydebank's newest hot-spot for grub. Bangin' Pizza has just opened on the town's Kilbowie Road, and it was jumping. The third member of its franchise, the brand already has successful shops in Johnstone and Dumbarton, delighting customers with its unique mix of music and pizza. By the time I was being served my pizzas, there was a line of five or six out of the door. (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) For only being officially opened for a few days, the store was a buzz with customers queuing out the door. It was clear bankies knew the hype surrounding this new spot. I placed my order of two pizzas, one plain La Marinara and a recommendation of the Highlander (the most expensive on the menu). Topped off with a portion of the Bangin' Fries. My total was £28. The scran. (Image: Supplied) I was buzzing to get tucked in, but a half-hour wait is what comes with a busy Friday and a newly opened, in-demand commodity. An introductory menu is in place for the soft launch of the new venue, offering five pizza choices and four sides. I've been fortunate enough to have visited Naples, the home of the beloved doughy creation, only recently, so I was ready to set this Scottish-Italian twist against the homeland. First off the La Marinara Pizza is priced at a decent £9.50. A simple, but delicious tribute to the heart of Italian food. The thin base was the perfect homage to the country's pizza, with a hearty dough, packed with flavour and piping hot. The tomato-based sauce was sweet on the tongue, dusted with some oregano to give it an extra kick; it was everything an Italian would want from a pizza. Classic, original and punching with flavour. Along with the generous pricing, this thoroughly deserved a 10/10. READ MORE: More than £3.5m worth of drugs found in home Onto the Highlander, topped with Stornoway black pudding and smoked Ayrshire bacon, this treat was a sensation for the taste buds. Highlander Pizza with San Marzano sugo, Stornoway Black Pudding, smoked Ayrshire bacon, Neapolitan Fior di Latte cheese, fresh basil, Scottish mature cheddar, a dusting of Pecorino romano and a drizzle of Abruzzo EVOO. (Image: Newsquest) It was denser than the first pizza, but it was for a reason. The toppings were plentiful, evenly spread and generously given. The black pudding was the cherry on the cake, absolutely beautiful. Although i favoured the first, my friend who grabbed a bit of this one was delighted. I'd give it a strong 9/10. READ MORE: I became a beekeeper for a day and learnt one painful and embarrassing truth Lastly, there were the Bangin' Fries, priced at £4. At first, when I opened them, I was expecting a bit more from them to be named after the brand. Bangin' Fries. (Image: Newsquest) However, when I grabbed a bite, my opinion changed. They were perfectly seasoned, not too salty, just the right amount. A strong start for the sides, I rate this a 8/10. These pizzas were a true testament to some of the delish bites I sampled in Naples, they were delicious and hearty food that I will easily be finding myself going back for. Despite a newly opened shop and a packed queue of customers, there was no compromise of taste, presentation or service. It was clear the restaurant is looking for authentic, heartfelt food whilst bringing in their music background with plenty of tunes whilst you wait. In my opinion, it was in fact ,Bangin'.
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26crop%3D3%3A2%2Csmart%26trim%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Edinburgh's viral Lannan bakery to open new pantry and pre-order service
One of Edinburgh's most popular bakeries is expanding its Stockbridge site – creating a new pantry offering a range of seasonal produce, with further developments including an in-house butchery and wine cellar. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Opening in autumn, the new Lannan Pantry will also offer a pre-order service where customers can purchase their favourite viennoiserie ahead of time. The popular bakery, which first opened in July 2023, has seen lengthy queues almost every day since it opened, and the new collection service will mean customers can now order pastries from the website a week in advance. Located next to the bakery on via its own entrance on Hamilton Place, Lannan Pantry will sell a range of produce used in the menu items at the bakery, from forced Yorkshire rhubarb early in the year, to Scottish asparagus come spring alongside grocery staples including fresh fruit and vegetables and ocal free range eggs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lannan Pantry in Edinburgh will open this autumn next to the popular bakery in Hamilton Place, Stockbridge | Stephen Lister While Lannan Pantry won't stock pastries and cakes from the bakery, it will sell breads, dips, fresh pasta and sauces made in house by Lannan's kitchen team. Award-winning baker, Darcie Maher, who opened Lannan two years ago, said: 'We wanted to expand our offering beyond pastry, bringing the wonderful produce that we use in our products and pastries to our customers' kitchens. The pantry will be for customers, but it'll also support our kitchen and bakery - it will quite literally be our pantry, allowing us to take a zero-waste approach to both spaces. We can't wait to welcome our customers into the new space this summer.' Local partnerships Lannan Pantry will work with a range of local businesses to create a one-stop-shop for seasonal produce, with cultured butter from The Edinburgh Butter Company and fresh meat coming from Bowhouse and George Bowers butchers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Charcuterie and cheese will be sourced from The Ham and Cheese Company, with mortadella, guanciale and prosciutto sliced to order and Natoora will provide fruit and vegetables from across Europe, including Puglian Barattiere cucumbers to ripe white peaches from Campania, exclusively at Lannan Pantry. A new in-house butchery, will see the Lannan team produce sausages and bacon, as well as making seasonal pastry specials from pâté en croûte to sausage rolls, pork pies and terrines. The new retail space will also feature a wine cellar, offering a curated selection of natural and biodynamic wines, as well as ciders and beers. Chef demonstrations and event space Lannan Pantry's interior has been designed in collaboration with Patricia Rodi and Natalie Cécile of Rodi and Cécile Studios and takes inspiration from owner Darcie Maher's travels in France. It will feature bespoke joinery and reclaimed French floor tiles, with a large farmhouse table providing a centrepiece to the room and showcasing the produce on offer. The space will also be used for events, guest chef demonstrations workshops in the future. The pantry will also sell Lannan-branded homewares and accessories, including linen aprons, organic cotton tote bags, jackets and tea towels. Handmade mugs, coffee cups and plates made exclusively for Lannan by Claire Henry Ceramics will also be available. Lannan Pantry will be open from 9am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday at Hamilton Place, Edinburgh.
