2017 was UK's greenest energy year ever
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The reading
The United Kingdom is doing a lot to increase its use of renewable energy. It is moving away from fossil fuels and making more use of green energies, such as wind power, nuclear power and solar energy. New figures from the UK's electricity provider show that the UK had its greenest year ever in 2017 for electricity production. It even had its first coal-free day for over 150 years. The UK broke 13 clean energy records in 2017. In June, wind, nuclear and solar power produced more electricity than gas and coal combined. It was the first time this has ever happened. The UK's power system is now the fourth cleanest in Europe and the seventh cleanest in the world.
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The United Kingdom has been trying to reduce the amount of coal it uses. Coal now supplies less than 7 per cent of the UK's electricity. A spokesman said it must now try to use less gas to make sure it meets its target for greenhouse gas emissions. The UK currently uses too much gas. The conservation charity World Wildlife Fund said it was pleased that the UK is moving towards greener energy. It said: "We have never been cleaner or greener, and we are on [target] for an even better year in 2018." It added: "Climate change is wreaking havoc on our nature and wildlife, but we are at last facing up to the challenge. We are turning our backs on polluting fossil fuels and embracing a new, clean future."
Sources:
- http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42495883
- http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/uk-clean-energy-records-green-britain-2017-climate-change-global-warming-a8130151.html
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/12/28/record-year-renewable-energy-low-carbon-sources-top-52pc/
