As of 2023 there are 35 active gas fired combined cycle power plants and 14 single cycle power plants operating in the United Kingdom, which have a total generating capacity of 35.7 GW. [1]
In 2016 gas fired power stations generated a total of 127 TWh of electricity. Dropping to 72 TWh in 2024, generating 26% of GB power. This is expected to fall to 5% by 2030, with total generation from other low carbon sources expected to exceed demand enabling net exports.
The decline is largely due to the increase in renewable sources outweighing the decline of coal, and an overall reduction in demand. [2]
In November 2015, the UK Government announced that all the remaining fourteen coal-fired power stations would be closed by 2025. [3] In November 2017 the UK Government co-founded the Powering Past Coal Alliance. In June 2021, the government said it would end coal power by October 2024. [4] [5]
The United Kingdom had continuously burned coal for the generation of electricity since the opening of Holborn Viaduct power station in 1882. On 21 April 2017, for the first time since 1882, the GB grid had a 24-hour period without any generation from coal power. [6] In May 2019 the GB grid went its first full week without any coal power. [7] In May 2020 the GB grid beat the previous record and did not use coal generation for over a month. [8]
By 2024, the use of coal power had decreased to historic lows not seen since before the Industrial Revolution. Coal supplied just 0.5% of GB electricity in 2024, [9] down from 30% in 2014. [10] UK electricity became entirely coal-free on 30 September 2024. [11]
