Energy Secretary is expected to commit to further reducing UK carbon footprint at Cop29

Britain’s wind generation is set to plummet to virtually zero this week as Ed Miliband presses ahead with plans to increase the nation’s reliance on renewable energy.

Much of the UK has seen zero hours of sunshine this month, and the first part of this week will see already-light winds hit fresh lows in many areas, according to Met Office forecasters. The Telagraph has the story.

The dark and windless weather comes as Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Miliband, the Energy Secretary, fly to the UN climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, to pledge massive cuts in UK greenhouse gas emissions.

They are expected to pledge to cut CO2 emissions by 240m tonnes, or 60pc of their 2022 levels, by 2035.

They will also confirm plans to “decarbonise” the UK electricity system by 2030, by ending the use of the UK’s 32 main gas-fired power stations.

Sir Keir’s speech, expected on Tuesday, coincides with a record “dunkelflaute” spell of low winds and sunshine that have already slashed output from renewables.

Wind speeds are expected to fall again this week, making gas more essential than ever to keep the lights on.

“Many of our weather stations have recorded zero sunshine so far this month,” said a Met Office forecaster. It’s very unusual.”

Those weather stations are spread across the southern UK, with zero sunshine readings from Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, Ross on Wye, near the Welsh borders, St Athan, west of Cardiff, Liscombe in Devon and Wittering, near Peterborough.

Read the full story here.