After the triumph of 2020, disappointment
In 2020, renewable energy dominated the country's electricity mix, generating 43.1% of our power to fossil fuels' 37.8%.
This was the first time renewable sources had produced more of the UK's electricity than fossil fuels.
But it was also the culmination of a long-term trend that saw green energy's percentage of the electricity mix rise as fossil fuels declined.
National Grid's Isabelle Haigh has admitted 2021 may be disappointing, but said "the context is crucial: 2020 was an exceptional year of unusual circumstances, with low demands in lockdown and high zero carbon generation making like-for-like comparisons difficult."
However, as you can see from our chart, 2020 was simply the continuation of a trend that was already well-developed.
From January to November 2021, this trend fell by the wayside as green energy generation dropped sharply, while fossil fuel levels remained relatively stable.
With just one month left in the year, it looks like 2021 will be a painful reality check for fans of green energy.
