Ed Miliband’s net zero blitz fails to prevent rise in emissions
Ed Miliband’s net zero blitz fails to prevent rise in emissions
Jonathan LeakeMon, May 11, 2026 at 6:00 AM UTC
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Since Labour came to power, the Energy Secretary has approved hundreds of new green energy projects across the country - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
The UK generated more carbon emissions from its energy supplies last year despite Ed Miliband’s renewables push.
In a blow to the Energy Secretary’s decarbonisation drive, greenhouse gas emissions released from electricity producers were up 2.8pc in 2025, according to energy analysts Montel.
That is despite a flood of new wind and solar farms being connected to the grid, alongside a planned move to switch off the UK’s last coal power station.
Montel blamed the increase on bottlenecks across the UK’s power network, which leads to turbines being switched off when the grid is too congested to accept their power.
This lost generating capacity then has to be replaced with electricity from gas-fired power stations, leading to extra emissions.
These power plants must also step in when output from wind and solar plummets, for instance when it is cloudy or when there’s no breeze.
Montel’s report said: “Power generated from carbon-emitting sources rose by 5.7pc in 2025 compared to 2024 despite the complete removal of coal from the energy mix in September 2024.
“This led to a 2.8pc increase in carbon emissions from power generation in GB compared to 2024.
“This reflects the continued reliance on gas-fired generation to provide flexibility and security of supply, particularly during periods of low renewable output or high demand.”
The latest figures highlight the ongoing importance of gas within the UK’s energy mix, casting doubt over Mr Miliband’s pledge to achieve almost entirely clean power by 2030.
It also highlights the issue of wasted wind, which not only triggers higher emissions but also costs the taxpayer billions of pounds.
When wind turbines are asked to switch off, their owners can claim compensation through so-called constraint payments, the cost of which is then added to bills.
The National Energy System Operator, the organisation responsible for keeping the lights on, then has to pay a premium to fire up gas-fired power stations.
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The combination of the two cost billpayers £1.5bn last year.
Despite highlighting an increase in emissions, Montel’s report also revealed that the UK generated more clean power in 2025, the result of Mr Miliband’s net zero push.
Since Labour came to power, the Energy Secretary has approved hundreds of new green energy projects across the country.
It said: “Great Britain’s zero-carbon output rose from around 139.6 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2024 to 144.6 TWh in 2025, a 3.6pc increase.”
A spokesman for Mr Miliband’s Energy Department disputed Montel’s figures, claiming that its own calculations revealed that carbon emissions from UK power generation fell last year.
They said: “Emissions from the electricity supply sector fell by 1pc due to the closure of the UK’s last coal-powered station in September 2024.”
However, the Government’s figures are themselves contested because the UK receives 13pc of its electricity from Europe via subsea interconnectors partially powered by foreign gas-fired power stations.
The UK classes all imported electricity as zero-carbon, even if it is generated by gas, because the emissions happen outside UK borders.
Electricity generated overseas is classed as carbon-free – even if it comes from burning coal - Benoit Doppagne/AFP via Getty Images
Chris Bowden, a power supply expert, founder of SQE Energy, which manages electricity supplies for industrial and other major users, backed Montel’s findings of increased gas-fired generation.
He said: “The main drivers were a sharp fall in nuclear output and the first full year without coal, plus rising electricity demand from EVs [electric vehicles], heat pumps and data centres, and lower net imports reducing the availability of cheap French nuclear power.
“Montel is also right on curtailment: significant volumes of windpower are still being lost because the grid cannot move power efficiently from where it is generated to where it is needed, forcing gas to replace zero-carbon generation.”
Richard Tice, the Reform Party energy spokesman, said: “The rising cost of the UK’s energy bills is a national emergency for consumers and industry.
“This is further evidence that the Government’s net zero strategy has become a disastrous waste of consumer cash and must be scrapped.”
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Source: “AOL Money”
