Why are renewables vital to achieving net zero?
We know that Great Britain is aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
But how can renewable energy sources help us get there?
When we burn fossil fuels like coal and gas to help generate electricity, this releases carbon dioxide. As a greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide traps heat in the earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
In contrast, renewable energy sources like solar and wind power don’t produce carbon emissions as part of the electricity generation process. Instead they harness the natural energy from the sun and the weather.
As NESO moves towards a system which can operate at zero carbon, we want to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and use more renewable energy sources including:
- Solar
- Wind
We’re already well on our way to using more renewable energy sources in our electricity system. Our changing electricity mix shows how we’ve been moving in the right direction for a few decades.
We’re on the right track, and with continued success in bringing more renewables onto the grid, we can achieve our ambitions.
As we move towards a net zero future, we have integrated more of these renewable sources onto the grid to replace higher-carbon sources like coal, so that we can continue to provide affordable and sustainable electricity to consumers.
Great Britan’s Monthly Energy Stats
Find out about Great Britain's electricity generation and how much came from sources such as wind, solar and biomass in our monthly snapshot.
Our control room experts continue to balance supply and demand second by second as we move into the spring months – and you can follow the electricity mix live in our carbon intensity app - available on Google Play Store and The App Store.