The Queen enters the coalface, 600 yards underground, at the Silverwood Colliery in Yorkshire in 1958

Britain went coal-free for the whole of Friday, generating all its electricity without using even one lump of the most polluting of all the fossil fuels.

It was the first continuous 24-hour coal-free period for Britain since use of the fossil fuel began.

The National Grid control room tweeted: "For the past 24 hours National Grid has supplied the UK's electricity without the need for coal generation as part of the energy mix."

As gas and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power have become more popular, the use of coal has decreased, accounting for just 9% of the electricity generated last year.

Image: The invention of the Davy lamp in 1815 revolutionised the safety of British miners at work underground Image: The development of railways allowed for the mass transportation of the fossil fuel Image: A miner uses a coal cutting machine in 1912 Image: The peak of UK coal production saw 287 million tonnes of coal produced in 1913 Image: Pit ponies worked alongside the miners deep underground Image: The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which was formed in 1945 Image: The coal industry was nationalised in 1947 Image: Queen Elizabeth visits to the Silverwood Colliery near Rotherham in 1958 Image: Police were accused of using unnecessary force in the strikes during the 1980s Image: Trade unionist Arthur Scargill leads protests outside the Greenwick film processing plant in Willesden Image: Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during her St Valentine's day underground visit to Wistow colliery in Selby in 1980 /

Many coal plants have now closed or switched to burning organic matter such as wood pellets.

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The Government has pledged to phase out coal from the system by 2025 as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions in the UK.

The National Grid previously achieved a 19-hour coal-free stretch one weekend last May.

:: Can Trump keep his election promises on coal?

Cordi O'Hara of the National Grid said: "To have the first working day without coal since the start of the industrial revolution is a watershed moment in how our energy system is changing.

"The UK benefits from highly diverse and flexible sources of electricity. Our energy mix continues to change and National Grid adapts system operation to embrace these changes.

"However, it's important to remember coal is still an important source of energy as we transition to a low carbon system."

Hannah Martin, from Greenpeace UK, called the new record "a watershed" in energy transition and said such an achievement would have been "unimaginable" a decade ago.

She said: "It is a clear message to any new government that they should prioritise making the UK a world leader in clean, green technology.

"They will need to get on with the coal phase-out plan and recognise the economic potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency."

Image: Many coal plants have now closed or switched to burning organic matter

Industry body RenewableUK's executive director Emma Pinchbeck said: "The change in how we produce energy is the industrial revolution of this generation: as the age of coal passes, the renewables boom is well under way.

"Coal has been part of the UK's past, but we should celebrate the move away from dirty and old fashioned technology to a modern, clean energy future."

Key moments in British coal

:: 1760 - 1840 Coal production dramatically increases during the Industrial Revolution, fuelling furnaces and steam engines.

:: 1815 The Davy safety lamp is invented, reducing the danger of explosions in coal mines.

:: 1825 Railways open, allowing for mass transportation of coal.

:: 1842 The Coal Mines Act prohibits all underground work for women and girls, and for boys under the age of 10. The first electric coal cutting machine is also introduced.

:: 1913 Peak UK coal production, with more than 287 million tonnes of coal mined and the industry employing 1.25 million people.

:: 1945 The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is formed.

:: 1947 The coal industry is nationalised.

:: 1950s - 1970s Around 100 North East coal mines close after being stripped of their coal, or declared uneconomic.

:: 1970s - 1980s A number of national strikes take place initially over pay and then over threatened pit closures.

Image: Arthur Scargill during protests in Willesden

:: 1984 Margaret Thatcher announces plans to close 20 mines resulting in a year-long miners' strike, involving more than half the country's miners. Union president Arthur Scargill leads the strike, during which police are criticised for using excessive force against picketing miners.

:: 1985 The strike ends, but is unsuccessful in stopping the closures. Numerous pit closures follow over the coming years.

:: 1994 John Major privatises British Coal.

:: 2001 UK coal production is exceeded by imports for the first time.

:: 2015 Six underground mines and 24 surface mines remain in Britain, producing over 8.1 million tonnes of coal and employing a total of 2,046 people.

The UK's last deep coal mine, Kellingley Colliery, in North Yorkshire closed in December 2015.</s>U.K. May Have 24 Hours Without Coal Power

The United Kingdom may be in its first full day without coal power in more than a century, its National Grid announced Friday.

"It looks likely that today will be the first ever working day in Britain without #coal since the industrial revolution!" the agency tweeted.

Britain has been phasing out coal, relying more on natural gas and wind power, in a plan to close its plants by 2025. The efforts have thus far resulted in yearly reductions in coal burned, the Guardian reports:

"Coal has seen significant declines in recent years, accounting for just 9% of electricity generation in 2016, down from around 23% the year before, as coal plants closed or switched to burning biomass such as wood pellets. "Britain's last power station will be forced to close in 2025, as part of a government plan to phase out the fossil fuel to meet its climate change commitments. "Hannah Martin, head of energy at Greenpeace UK, said: 'The first day without coal in Britain since the Industrial Revolution marks a watershed in the energy transition. A decade ago, a day without coal would have been unimaginable, and in 10 years' time our energy system will have radically transformed again.' "

Reuters adds that last year, natural gas accounted for 42 percent of the country's electricity, with renewable and nuclear energy making up 45.

The country's grid managed nearly eight coal-free hours earlier this month. Just a little under a year ago, it went 19 hours without consuming the fossil fuel.

Still, a benchmark of 24 hours will mean Britain's first day without coal-produced electricity since London's Holborn Viaduct fired up in 1882.</s>Britain was on course yesterday to see its first full day without generating any electricity from coal since the Industrial Revolution, the National Grid has said.

If the grid runs the whole day without coal power, it would be the first continuous 24-hour coal-free period for Britain since use of the fossil fuel began.

National Grid’s electricity control room tweeted: “It looks likely that today will be the first ever working day in Britain without coal since the industrial revolution!”

The electricity grid has been coal-free a number of times since last spring, as gas and renewables such as wind and solar play an increasing role in providing the country with power.

The longest continuous period until now was 19 hours – first achieved on a weekend last May, and matched on Thursday.

Coal has seen significant declines in recent years, accounting for just 9 per cent of electricity generation in 2016, down from around 23 per cent the year before, as coal plants closed or switched to burning biomass such as wood pellets.

The government has pledged to phase out coal – the most polluting fossil fuel – from the system by 2025 as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions in the UK.

Hannah Martin, from Greenpeace UK, said: “The first day without coal in Britain since the Industrial Revolution marks a watershed in the energy transition.

“A decade ago, a day without coal would have been unimaginable, and in ten years’ time our energy system will have radically transformed again.

“It is a clear message to any new government that they should prioritise making the UK a world leader in clean, green technology.

“They will need to get on with the coal phase-out plan and recognise the economic potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

“We can meet the UK’s needs for skilled jobs and fair bills, whilst also meeting our climate targets.”

It is thought it will be the first time the country will have been without electricity from coal since the world’s first centralised public coal-fired generator opened at Holborn Viaduct in London, in 1882. Industry body RenewableUK’s executive director Emma Pinchbeck said: “The change in how we produce energy is the industrial revolution of this generation: as the age of coal passes, the renewables boom is well under way.

“Coal has been part of the UK’s past, but we should celebrate the move away from dirty and old fashioned technology to a modern, clean energy future.”</s>Britain could see its first full day without generating any electricity from coal on Friday, National Grid has said.

If the grid goes the whole of Friday without coal power then it would be the first continuous 24-hour coal-free period for Britain since use of the fossil fuel began.

National Grid's electricity control room tweeted: "It looks likely that today will be the first ever working day in Britain without coal since the industrial revolution!"

The electricity grid has been coal-free a number of times since last spring, as gas and renewables such as wind and solar play an increasing role in providing the country with power.

The longest continuous period until now was 19 hours - first achieved on a weekend last May, and matched on Thursday.

Coal has seen significant declines in recent years, accounting for just 9% of electricity generation in 2016, down from around 23 per cent the year before, as coal plants closed or switched to burning biomass such as wood pellets.

The Government has pledged to phase out coal - the most polluting fossil fuel - from the system by 2025 as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions in the UK.

Hannah Martin, from Greenpeace UK, said: "The first day without coal in Britain since the Industrial Revolution marks a watershed in the energy transition.

"A decade ago, a day without coal would have been unimaginable, and in 10 years' time our energy system will have radically transformed again.

"It is a clear message to any new government that they should prioritise making the UK a world leader in clean, green technology.

"They will need to get on with the coal phase-out plan and recognise the economic potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

"We can meet the UK's needs for skilled jobs and fair bills, whilst also meeting our climate targets."

If Britain goes without coal for the whole day, it is thought it will be the first time it has been without electricity from coal since the world's first centralised public coal-fired generator opened at Holborn Viaduct in London in 1882.</s>Britain went a full day without using coal to generate electricity for the first time since the Industrial Revolution, the National Grid says.

The energy provider said Friday's lack of coal usage was a "watershed" moment.

Britain's longest continuous energy period without coal until now was 19 hours - first achieved last May, and again on Thursday.

The government plans to phase out Britain's last plants by 2025 in order to cut carbon emissions.

Friday is thought to be the first time the nation has not used coal to generate electricity since the world's first centralised public coal-fired generator opened in 1882, at Holborn Viaduct in London.

Cordi O'Hara of the National Grid said: "To have the first working day without coal since the start of the industrial revolution is a watershed moment in how our energy system is changing.

"The UK benefits from highly diverse and flexible sources of electricity. Our energy mix continues to change and National Grid adapts system operation to embrace these changes."

But Ms O'Hara says that while the country makes the transition to a low carbon system, coal remains an important source of energy.

According to Gridwatch.co.uk, around half of British energy on Friday came from natural gas, with about a quarter coming from nuclear plants.

Wind, biomass, and imported energy were also used.

Coal has powered Britain for more than a century.

But Friday's landmark moment - the first 24 hour period without any coal powered generation - is a sign of how the once mighty fuel is being consigned to history.

Part of the reason is that solar panels and wind turbines now provide much more electricity to factories and homes. Lower power demand is a factor too - that's normal on a Friday.

And as older, uneconomic coal fired plants have closed in recent years, the fossil fuel has been playing a much smaller role in our energy system.

The last deep coal mine in the UK, Kellingley Colliery in North Yorkshire, closed in December 2015, bringing to an end centuries of deep coal mining in Britain.

Hannah Martin, from Greenpeace UK, said: "A decade ago, a day without coal would have been unimaginable, and in 10 years' time our energy system will have radically transformed again."

Coal remained a dominant part of the energy supply until the 1990s, but its use has fallen in recent years, as plants closed or switched to burning biomass such as wood pellets.

It accounted for just 9% of electricity generation in 2016 - down from 23% the year before.

However, there have been claims that using wood pellets to generate electricity is actually speeding up, not slowing down, climate warming.

A study published by Chatham House in February said wood is not carbon neutral and emissions from pellets are higher than coal, making pellet use a flawed policy.

The energy industry rejected the report, saying that wood energy cuts carbon significantly compared with fossil fuels.
• 1882 - The world's first public coal-fired generating plant is opened at Holborn Viaduct in London
• 1956 - The Clean Air Act (1956) is introduced to tackle the smog created by coal fired stations. Coal-burning power stations are moved out of cities
• 1970s - Coal for heating homes is increasingly replaced by natural gas from the North Sea
• 1980s - Nuclear power grows to around 25% of electricity generation
• 1990s - 'Dash for gas' as natural gas grows to around 30% of electricity generation, largely substituting for coal
• 2016 - Government says it wants Britain's last coal power plants to close by 2025

Sign-up to get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning</s>Britain has experienced its first full day without generating any electricity from coal since the Industrial Revolution.

The “watershed” moment was confirmed by the National Grid on Friday night.

It is the first continuous 24-hour coal-free period for Britain since use of the fossil fuel began.

Cordi O’Hara of the National Grid said: “To have the first working day without coal since the start of the industrial revolution is a watershed moment in how our energy system is changing.

“The UK benefits from highly diverse and flexible sources of electricity. Our energy mix continues to change and National Grid adapts system operation to embrace these changes.

“However, It’s important to remember coal is still an important source of energy as we transition to a low carbon system.”

It is thought to be the first time the country has been without electricity from coal since the world’s first centralised public coal-fired generator opened at Holborn Viaduct in London, in 1882.

The electricity grid has been coal-free a number of times since last spring, as gas and renewables such as wind and solar play an increasing role in providing the country with power.

The longest continuous period until now was 19 hours – first achieved on a weekend last May, and matched on Thursday.

Coal has seen significant declines in recent years, accounting for just 9% of electricity generation in 2016, down from around 23% the year before, as coal plants closed or switched to burning biomass such as wood pellets.

The Government has pledged to phase out coal – the most polluting fossil fuel – from the system by 2025 as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions in the UK.

Hannah Martin, from Greenpeace UK, said: “The first day without coal in Britain since the Industrial Revolution marks a watershed in the energy transition.

“A decade ago, a day without coal would have been unimaginable, and in 10 years’ time our energy system will have radically transformed again.

“It is a clear message to any new government that they should prioritise making the UK a world leader in clean, green technology.”</s>LONDON-Friday was Britain’s first ever working day without coal power since the Industrial Revolution, according to the National Grid.

The control room tweeted the milestone on Friday. It is the first continuous 24-hour coal-free period for Britain since use of the fossil fuel began. West Burton 1 power station, the only coal-fired plant that had been up and running, went offline on Thursday.

The UK has had shorter coal-free periods in 2016, as gas and renewables such as wind and solar play an increasing role in the power mix. The longest continuous period until now had been 19 hours – first achieved on a weekend last May, and matched on Thursday.

A National Grid spokesman said the record low was a sign of things to come, with coal-free days becoming increasingly common as the polluting fuel is phased out.

Coal has seen significant declines in recent years, accounting for just 9% of electricity generation in 2016, down from around 23% the year before, as coal plants closed or switched to burning biomass such as wood pellets.

Britain’s last coal power station will be forced to close in 2025, as part of a government plan to phase out the fossil fuel to meet its climate change commitments. Hannah Martin, head of energy at Greenpeace UK, said: “The first day without coal in Britain since the Industrial Revolution marks a watershed in the energy transition. A decade ago, a day without coal would have been unimaginable, and in 10 years’ time our energy system will have radically transformed again.

“The direction of travel is that both in the UK and globally we are already moving towards a low carbon economy. It is a clear message to any new government that they should prioritise making the UK a world leader in clean, green, technology.”

Gareth Redmond-King, head of climate and energy at WWF, called the first coal-free working day “a significant milestone in our march towards the green economic revolution”.

“Getting rid of coal from our energy mix is exciting and hugely important. But it’s not enough to achieve our international commitments to tackle climate change – we haven’t made anything like the same progress on decarbonising buildings and transport. Whoever forms the next government after the general election, they must prioritise a plan for reducing emissions from all sectors.” Redmond-King said.

Britain became the first country to use coal for electricity when Thomas Edison opened the Holborn Viaduct power station in London in 1882. It was reported in the Observer at the time that “a hundred weight of coal properly used will yield 50 horse power for an hour.” And that each horse power “will supply at least a light equivalent to 150 candles”.</s>Friday could be the first full coal-free day in Britain for 250 years, according to the National Grid.

The grid may go the whole of today without using coal power, which would be the first 24-hour continuous coal-free period since the use of fossil fuels began.

National Grid's electricity control room tweeted: 'It looks likely that today will be the first ever working day in Britain without coal since the industrial revolution!'

It comes as the government admitted the last coal power station may close earlier than the plan of 2025, and could be shut by 2022, even without intervention.

The electricity grid has been coal-free a number of times since last spring, as gas and renewables such as wind and solar play an increasing role in providing the country with power.

The longest continuous period until now was 19 hours - first achieved on a weekend last May, and matched on Thursday.

Coal has seen significant declines in recent years, accounting for just nine per cent of electricity generation in 2016, down from around 23 per cent the year before, as coal plants closed or switched to burning biomass such as wood pellets.

The Government has pledged to phase out coal - the most polluting fossil fuel - from the system by 2025 as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions in the UK.

Greg Clark, the energy secretary, said: 'Taking unabated coal power out of our energy mix and replacing it with cleaner technology, such as gas, will significantly reduce emissions from the UK's energy use.'

According to the Guardian, there is a further commitment of £730million for renewable energy in this parliament.

Hannah Martin, from Greenpeace UK, said: 'The first day without coal in Britain since the Industrial Revolution marks a watershed in the energy transition.

'A decade ago, a day without coal would have been unimaginable, and in 10 years' time our energy system will have radically transformed again.

'It is a clear message to any new government that they should prioritise making the UK a world leader in clean, green technology.

'They will need to get on with the coal phase-out plan and recognise the economic potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

'We can meet the UK's needs for skilled jobs and fair bills, whilst also meeting our climate targets.'

There has also been an increase in calls to pull the date forward to bring an end to coal power, to allow investors to have greater certainty.

Michael Grubb, professor of International Energy and Climate Change Policy at UCL, told the Guardian: 'Outlining how and when coal plants will cease to operate will pave the way for new investment, including gas. Coal is already struggling economically and removing coal clarifies the market space for gas during the 2020s.'</s>The amount of electricity generated from coal in the UK has fallen to zero several times in the past week, grid data shows.

In what green energy supporters have described as a “historic turning point” for the UK’s power system, coal-fired electricity first fell to zero late on Monday night and for the early hours of Tuesday morning, according to data from BM Reports.

On Thursday, there was no electricity from coal for more than 12 and a half hours, more than half the day, with it making no contribution to the UK’s power supplies late at night when demand was low and for a period in the day, the data shows.

It is thought to be the first time the UK has been without electricity from coal since the world’s first centralised public coal-fired generator opened at Holborn Viaduct in London, in 1882, according to the Carbon Brief website which reports on climate science and energy policy.

The record lows in coal power generation come as the UK enters the summer months, which sees lower demand for electricity, and with more than half of the country’s coal capacity out of action, for example for planned maintenance.

But there have also been a series of recent closures of coal-fired power plants as they become less economic, while plants such as Drax in North Yorkshire have partially switched to burning “biomass”.

The government has said it wants to see coal phased out by 2025, as it is the most polluting way of generating electricity.

There has also been an increase in the amount of renewables on the system, with a record 27% of the UK’s power coming from sources such as wind power in the last quarter of 2015.

Estimates of the power now being generated from solar panels, from household arrays to large scale farms, also show it is regularly outstripping coal during the day, reaching 6.8 gigawatts (GW) at a midday peak this week compared to a high of 3GW output from coal.

Solar is limited to generating power during the day, but analysis from Carbon Brief found that over the course of a week, the clean technology produced more power last week than coal.

Juliet Davenport, chief executive of renewable electricity supplier Good Energy said: “This week marks an historic turning point for energy in the UK.

“Coal formed the backbone of the industrial revolution and was the fuel that powered Britain into the 21st century. But it’s time to begin to say farewell.

“Our energy is becoming cleaner and greener, with wind, solar and other renewables generating more of our electricity than ever before. We are celebrating this news as it shows that our future can be fossil fuel-free.”</s>Today is set to be the first working day since the Industrial Revolution that NO coal will be burned to generate power.

There have been previous days when the UK went as long as 19 hours without any coal being burned to generate power.

But National Grid this is likely to be the first 24 hour period without.

A spokeswoman said there were no specific reasons.

However, it coincides with warmer weather as we head into summer and a number of coal fired plants undergoing maintenance.

National Grid confirmed that today was on track to be “the first time the UK has been without electricity from coal since the world’s first centralised coal fired generator opened at Holborn Viaduct in London in 1882.”

Coal used to be vital for fuelling the nation’s power stations and in homes.

At its peak, more than a million people were employed in Britain’s coal mining industry.

Even in the 1960s, British Rail was still running steam trains using coal.

A decade later saw a strike by miners that left the country on the infamous three working week.

Coal use was already in decline by the time railways began switching to diesel and electric trains.

The demise of the industry hammered once thriving coal mining communities.

It reached a low point in 1984 when miners protested over wages and pit closures, triggered a bitter showdown with then Tory leader Margaret Thatcher.

By the mid-2000s, the industry was a shadow of its former self, with a handful of open cast mines.

A drive to cut green house gases has driven a switch to gas fired power stations, nuclear and renewable energy such as wind.

Coal accounted for just 5.8% of the UK’s power mix between April and June last year, down from 20% the year before.

Last May saw the UK hit another milestone, when more power was generated from solar energy than coal.

Last year also saw more electricity generated from wind than coal for the first time.

Britain’s last deep coal mine closed in December, with the loss of 450 jobs.

Kellingley Colliery in North Yorkshire was capped off, bringing centuries of deep coal minig in Britain to en end.

The Government has pledged to end the burning of coal in power plants completely by 2025.

Hannah Martin, head of energy at Greenpeace UK, said: “The first day without coal in Britain since the Industrial Revolution marks a watershed in the energy transition.

“A decade ago, a day without coal would have been unimaginable, and in 10 years’ time our energy system will have radically transformed again.

“The direction of travel is that both in the UK and globally we are already moving towards a low carbon economy.

“It is a clear message to any new government that they should prioritise making the UK a world leader in clean, green, technology.

“They will need to get on with the coal phase-out plan and recognise the economic potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

“We can meet the UK’s needs for skilled jobs and fair bills, whilst also meeting our climate targets.”
The United Kingdom, on Friday, did not derive energy from any coal-fired source, the first continuous 24-hour, coal-free period for the UK since use of the fossil fuel began. Coal accounted for just 9 percent of the electricity generated last year.