First working day in Britain without coal – Greenpeace response

Publication date: 21st April 2017

The Electricity Control Room at the National Grid has announced that today will likely be the first working day without coal in Britain since the Industrial Revolution. They have said this would be the first continuous 24 hour period without coal.

Hannah Martin, Head of Energy at Greenpeace UK, said:

“The first working day without coal in Britain since the Industrial Revolution marks a watershed in the energy transition. A decade ago, a day without coal would have been unimaginable, and in ten years’ time our energy system will have radically transformed again.

The direction of travel is that both in the UK and globally we are already moving towards a low carbon economy. It is a clear message to any new government that they should prioritise making the UK a world leader in clean, green, technology. They will need to get on with the coal phase-out plan and recognise the economic potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency. We can meet the UK’s needs for skilled jobs and fair bills, whilst also meeting our climate targets.”

Ends

Contact: Alexandra Sedgwick, Greenpeace UK Press Officer, alexandra.sedgwick@greenpeace.org07773 043 386.