Britain’s wind power generation is set to plummet to almost zero this week as Ed Miliband presses ahead with plans to cut dependency on gas and increase the nation’s reliance on intermittent renewable energy. The Telegraph has more.
Much of the U.K. has seen zero hours of sunshine this month, and the first part of this week will see already-light winds hit fresh lows in many areas, according to Met Office forecasters.
The dark and windless weather comes as Sir Keir Starmer and Mr. Miliband, the Energy Secretary, fly to the UN climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, to pledge massive cuts in U.K. greenhouse gas emissions.
They are expected to pledge to cut CO2 emissions by 240m tonnes, or 60% of their 2022 levels, by 2035.
They will also confirm plans to “decarbonise” the U.K. electricity system by 2030, by ending the use of the U.K.’s 32 main gas-fired power stations.
Sir Keir’s speech, expected on Tuesday, coincides with a record ‘dunkelflaute‘ spell of low winds and sunshine that have already slashed output from renewables.
Wind speeds are expected to fall again this week, making gas more essential than ever to keep the lights on.
“Many of our weather stations have recorded zero sunshine so far this month,” said a Met Office forecaster. It’s very unusual.”
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