Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans to make all the power generated in the UK fossil free by 2035.
The move to become a fossil free power producer is part of the UK’s goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
In 2020, renewables accounted for 43% of total electricity generation, according to the statistics released by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Currently, the UK depends on gas to meet nearly 38% of its electricity demand.
As part of its plans to phase out gas in electricity generation by 2035, the UK is looking to use nuclear power as a backup for renewable energy, Bloomberg reported. In December last year, the prime minister committed to offer support to at least one major nuclear power project by 2025.
Electricite de France (EDF) is expected to begin operations from unit 1 of the 3.2GW Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in 2026. Hinkley Point C is the first new nuclear power station to be constructed in the UK in more than two decades.
The UK has made a commitment to reduce its emissions 78% by 2035. Glasgow will host the COP26 climate summit between 31 October and 12 November.
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