UK gas-fired power at highest share in three years

Gas had the largest share of the UK’s generation mix for the first time in three years in the second quarter of this year, the Department of Energy and Climate Change said Thursday.

Gas accounted for 23.78 TWh, while coal generated 22.18 TWh, nuclear 17.48 TWh and renewables 13.22 TWh.

The UK generated 23.4% less electricity from coal in the second quarter, and 1.1% less from gas and 1% less from renewables, compared with Q2 2013, while nuclear rose 13.0% from a year earlier.

Total electricity generated in the second quarter of 2014 was 6.2% less than a year earlier, with the domestic sector using 6% less.

 Renewables’ share of electricity generation rose to 16.8% in the second quarter of 2014 from 15.9% in the second quarter of 2013.

Generation from both onshore and offshore wind fell, by 17% and 22% respectively, owing to very low wind speeds.

This was despite a 14% increase in all renewables’ capacity to 22.2 GW.