Renewable energy outstrips coal for first time in UK electricity mix

Wind, solar and bioenergy surge to supply a record 25% of the country's electricity for a whole quarter

Renewable energy has for the first time surpassed coal in supplying the UK's electricity for a whole quarter, according to government statistics released on Thursday.

The revelation of the surge in wind, solar and bioenergy to a record 25% comes in a week when the government has been heavily criticised by business leaders and Al Gore for cutting support for clean energy.