According to the National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO), the United Kingdom reached 12 days (290 hours on 29 May 2019) without using coal-generated power – a new record. Earlier in May 2019, the UK spent more than a week without using power from its coal-fired facilities. This was the first time these facilities weren't required for that long since 1882. Overall, in the first quarter of 2019, coal-fired power generation only covered 3% of the power mix, while renewables accounted for 33% of the power mix.
The United Kingdom has pledged to phase-out coal-fired power by 2025. Currently, the country still has a few operating coal facilities including the 520 MW Kilroot (by AES), the 1,935 MW Drax Power Station, the 2,008 MW Cottan (by EDF Energy), the 2,000 MW Ratcliffe (by Uniper) and the 2,012 MW West Burton plant. The UK has an electricity capacity of 104 GW, with gas accounting for 33%, wind for 20%, coal for 13%, solar PV for 13%, nuclear for 9%, biomass for 7%, hydro for 4% and oil for 2% (as of the end of 2018).
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