Climate Changed
U.K. Power Grid Getting Ready for Life Without Gas Power Plants
- British grid seen needing no gas for short periods from 2025
- Removing gas seen creating need for flywheels, special storage
Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
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Two years after Britain had its first coal-free day since the Industrial Revolution, the nation’s network operator is readying itself for life without any fossil fuels.
The grid may start dropping its need for natural gas power for short periods in about 2025, coinciding with coal’s complete phaseout. The system wants to be “zero-carbon capable” by then, said Julian Leslie, head of national control at National Grid Plc’s electricity system operator.