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wGrid Dashboard: The UK's Current Electricity Mix

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CO₂ Index i This is the current amount of carbon dioxide emitted every time one kWh is consumed. It is calculated by NESO at carbonintensity.org.uk

Power i Total is total consumption, generation is generation plus imports, and demands is exports and pumped hydro (when it is storing)

Progress to 2030 target i The 2030 Target, as set by the government, is 50gCO₂/kWh. This is the multiplier of this amount over the past year. 1x means the target is met.

Generation Sources i This shows the percentage of total generation coming from each source at any given time.

Generation Categories i This shows the proportion of generation coming from each source. Biomass is in low-carbon, not renewables, as sometimes biomass is imported from non-renewable sources.

Generation numbers

Renewables

Wind: GW i Wind is the UK's biggest electricity source and is rapidly growing due to the UK's high wind speeds making it a great place to install wind turbines. Wind can be onshore or offshore, and due to the shallowness of the North Sea, offshore wind is particularly useful.
Solar: GW i Solar is a growing source of electricity in the UK, with solar panels becoming increasingly common on rooftops and in large solar farms. Solar power is estimated by Sheffield University as it is connected to the DNOs (Distribution Network Operators) rather than the National Grid itself. This means that data is not metered centrally.
Hydro: GW i Hydroelectric power is generated by the flow of water through turbines, and is a reliable source of renewable energy, however the UK does not have much of it.

Fossil Fuels

Gas: GW i Gas is a major source of electricity in the UK (second behind wind), but most gas is imported and it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Most gas turbines are combined cycle (where exhaust is captured to turn another turbine), making them more efficient.

Other

Nuclear: GW i Nuclear power is a great source of base-load, reliable electricity, however due to overregulation caused by fears about it, it has decreased over time and is expensive.
Biomass: GW i Biomass is a renewable energy source that can be used to generate reliable electricity. Power plants such as Drax have been caught using unsustainable biomass sources, causing doubt on its true renewability.
Other: GW i Most of the 'other' category is made up of EfW (Energy from Waste), such as incineration plants and landfill gas.

Transfers

Imports: GW i The UK is a net importer of electricity, particularly during periods of low wind. It helps lower prices by allowing the UK to buy cheaper power from mainland Europe.
Exports: - GW i The UK also exports electricity, particularly during periods of high wind. This helps to balance the grid and can generate revenue for the UK.
Pumped: GW i Pumped hydro storage is a method of storing energy by pumping water from a lower reservoir to a higher one during periods of low demand. It is not very efficient but is very useful due to the large variations in renewable generation the UK experiences.

Past 48 hours (in MW) i This shows the total power generated for the past 48 hours. This includes generation, imports and exports. Click on each of the generation sources at the side to toggle them from the chart.

CO₂ for the past 48 hours (in gCO₂/kWh) i This shows the amount of carbon dioxide emitted for the past 48 hours per kWh. Oftentimes actual data is not available for the most recent half an hour, so will show zero and forecast should be used instead.

Past week (in MW)

CO₂ for the past week (in gCO₂/kWh)

Past year (in MW)

CO₂ for the past year (in gCO₂/kWh)

wGrid Dashboard: The UK's Current Electricity Mix | Data updated every 30 minutes | wilbur@c48.uk