Coal-fired power stations produced the lowest share of UK electricity on record in the second quarter of 2016 following the closures of several plants.

Coal accounted for just under 6pc of electricity generation in the three months to June, down from more than 20pc in the same period of 2015, the latest Government figures show.

Gas increased from just under 30pc to more than 45pc in the same period, representing "a large switch in generation from coal to gas, which will have reduced carbon dioxide emissions", according to the latest statistical bulletin.

The figures highlight the dramatic decline of the fuel that was the dominant source of electricity in the UK as recently as 2013.