Renewable power rose to record highs last year, supplying well over a quarter of the UK’s electricity, as coal continued to decline, official figures show.

Wind, solar, bioenergy and hydropower accounted for 27.5% of electricity supplies in 2018, up from 23.7% in 2017, the provisional figures from the Business and Energy Department (BEIS) show.

Increased generation from wind, solar and bioenergy as a result of more installation of wind farms, solar panels and technology to burn plant material led to the boost in renewables.

6% - The amount of power supplies accounted for by coal

Low carbon generation, which also includes nuclear power, accounted for half of supplies (49.6%), a new record high for clean electricity.

Coal, which the Government has pledged to bring off the system by 2025, fell again in 2018, accounting for just 6% of UK power supplies, down from 7.8% in 2017.

Gas made up 43.9% of the supply mix, down from 44.8% in 2017.

The provisional figures are for major power producers, which excludes organisations that produce electricity for their own use, and some renewable sources.

Emily Beament is Press Association Environment Correspondent