London: Renewable energy has overtaken fossil fuels to become Britain’s largest source of electricity in a historic shift that could signal the “beginning of the end” for coal across Europe.

National Grid data released on New Year’s Day revealed coal represented just 2.1 per cent of Britain’s overall electricity output in 2019.

By comparison, black and brown coal fuelled 74 per cent of Australia’s energy mix in 2018.

Climate change: Just 2 per cent of Britain’s power now comes from coal. In Australia, it’s more like 75 per cent