Britain is about to record two months without any coal being burned to generate energy. The decline has been rapid, with about 40 per cent of the energy mix being derived from coal only a decade ago, but the rise of gas and renewables has pushed coal out.

The recent lockdown explains a drop in demand that has helped, but the clear bigger picture is that coal is now yesterday’s energy.

Instead renewables are now growing, with the world’s largest offshore wind industry and significant investment in biomass and solar.

The news comes as National Grid CEO John Pettigrew has joined over 200 business leaders in a call to the Prime Minister to deliver a COVID-19 recovery plan that builds back a more inclusive, stronger and more resilient UK economy.

In an open letter Pettigrew offers support to the Government in tackling the present health crisis and urges Prime Minister Boris Johnson to provide clear vision for recovery efforts that align with the UK's wider social, environmental and climate goals.

John Pettigrew said: “We’ve estimated that the energy sector alone will need hundreds of thousands of new recruits as we work towards net-zero and believe that an economic recovery with climate action at its heart will be key to unlocking these opportunities.”

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