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Teaching Economics

In the News

First Coal Free Day in Britain since start of Industrial Revolution

Graham Watson

22nd April 2017

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A remarkable statistic has emerged from yesterday: it was the first day since the Industrial Revolution that coal wasn't used to generate power.

As a National Grid spokesperson noted: "To have the first working day without coal since the start of the industrial revolution is a watershed moment in how our energy system is changing. The UK benefits from highly diverse and flexible sources of electricity. Our energy mix continues to change and National Grid adapts system operation to embrace these changes."

For the record, half of the power came from natural gas, a quarter from nuclear and wind, biomass and imported power made up the rest.

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Graham Watson

Graham Watson has taught Economics for over twenty years. He contributes to Tutor2U, reads voraciously and is interested in all aspects of Teaching and Learning.

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