Natural gas did partly replace coal during the 1990s, but renewables (mostly wind) is replacing natural gas today.
An increase in production from natural gas isn't needed to keep the grid stable. It just needs to be available for when supply falls short due to weather conditions.
The interconnections are also a big part of the solution: excess wind energy can be exported when it's plentiful, and imported (along with hydro, nuclear) from other countries when UK weather is unfavourable. It's always windy somewhere!
> "But it won't be the wind, that'll be keeping the grid stable, that's for sure."
No, but it will greatly reduce emissions, and improve energy self-sufficiency, security of supply and stability of prices when external events (like the Russia-Ukraine war) disrupt the market.
An increase in production from natural gas isn't needed to keep the grid stable. It just needs to be available for when supply falls short due to weather conditions.
The interconnections are also a big part of the solution: excess wind energy can be exported when it's plentiful, and imported (along with hydro, nuclear) from other countries when UK weather is unfavourable. It's always windy somewhere!
> "But it won't be the wind, that'll be keeping the grid stable, that's for sure."
No, but it will greatly reduce emissions, and improve energy self-sufficiency, security of supply and stability of prices when external events (like the Russia-Ukraine war) disrupt the market.