Nuclear power provided approximately 70% of the electricity for COP26 in Glasgow yesterday, according to data from National Grid’s Carbon Intensity App. Nuclear output from Torness and Hunterston B power stations, supported by wind power, gave the southern Scotland region, which includes Glasgow, the lowest carbon electricity in the whole UK. Other parts of the country, which do not have as strong a combination of nuclear and renewable capacity as southern Scotland, had to burn coal and gas to meet the majority of their demand.
Torness and Hunterston B together produced enough clean power yesterday for all the homes in Scotland, which relies on nuclear more than any other nation in the UK. The two stations occupy just one-quarter of a square mile, but over their lifetimes, have generated enough electricity to power every home in Scotland for nearly 15 years.
In total, their output has saved the world 400 million tonnes of carbon emissions, more than any other green energy assets in Scottish history. Hunterston B will close in two months, after 45 years of service. Reacting to the figures, Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said:
“This nuclear-powered COP is living proof of why we need nuclear to hit net zero: it provides clean, reliable electricity to keep the lights on at this critical conference. As the UK Government and governments around the world have recognised, nuclear is an essential green energy source to save our planet.”
Original source: Nuclear Industry Association