The National Grid ESO has published its electricity generation mix review for 2022, recording a number of notable records that led to 2022 being one of the greenest years on record – second only to 2020, where several lockdowns helped reduce carbon consumption drastically.
Last year saw numerous renewable records, including the lowest carbon intensity month recorded in February at an average of 126 gCO2/KWh, as well as the lowest carbon-intensive day being recorded on 28 December at 52 gCO2/KWh.
The year came to a blustery, low-carbon end with wind generating a record 20.918GW of electricity, beating its two previous records of 19.936GW on 26 October and 20.896GW after that on 2 November.
Across 2022, Britain’s total energy generation by source was:
National Grid ESO’s Review also illustrated zero carbon electricity sources’ increasing role in powering Britain’s electricity, providing more than 50% of our electricity for almost half of the year in February, May, October, November and December.
Renewables sources are visibly reducing Britain’s reliance on fossil fuels by providing 48.5% of electricity last year, 8.5% more than gas or coal power stations provided. This has led to coal playing an ever decreasing role in Britain’s energy mix, and is now responsible for only 1.5% of Britain’s generation as opposed to 43% in 2012.
What has remained consistent, the Review showed, is the seasonal fluctuations in electricity demand, which remains at its lowest during the summer. Last year, demand was lowest on 12 June at 4am at 15GW, whilst 15 December at 5pm saw the highest demand of the year at 46GW.
In June 2021, the National Grid ESO stated that the electricity system in Britain is on track to achieve its goal of running carbon-free for interim periods by 2025. The 2022 Review shows positive progression towards this objective, as well as the wider target to completely decarbonise by 2035.
