Energy & Science

UK Power System Has Longest Coal-Free Run Since Mid-2020

Coal has slowly faded from Britain’s power grid.
Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

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By Will Mathis

May 26, 2022 at 9:39 AM UTC

Updated on

May 26, 2022 at 12:12 PM UTC

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The UK hasn’t used coal in its power system for about three weeks, the longest run since mid-2020 when pandemic restrictions sapped demand for electricity.

Coal has slowly faded from Britain’s power grid ahead of a complete phaseout set for 2024, but the polluting fuel has become more important in recent months after natural gas prices surged to record levels.