Carbon intensity update for 17th Oct 25

Here’s your daily carbon intensity update for October 17th, 2025, brought to you by Jaxi. Monitoring the UK’s carbon intensity helps us better understand the environmental impact of our electricity usage and guides smarter choices for when to run electric appliances, especially during periods of lower emissions.

Electricity demand throughout the day can significantly influence how much carbon is released into the atmosphere. When demand is high, additional backup generators — often powered by fossil fuels like coal and gas — are brought online, leading to a spike in carbon intensity. By planning appliance usage during periods of lower carbon intensity, we can all play a part in reducing emissions.

📊 Carbon Intensity Breakdown for 17th Oct, 2025

• Midnight to 6:00 AM: The day began with elevated emissions, starting at 222 gCO₂/kWh and rising to a peak of 258 gCO₂/kWh by 5:00 AM. This marks a “very high” level of carbon intensity, likely due to reduced overnight renewable generation.
• 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM: As morning energy demand increased, carbon intensity peaked at 270 gCO₂/kWh around 6:30 AM. Though levels slightly dipped in the late morning, the intensity remained in the “very high” range.
• 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM: Midday saw modest improvement, with carbon intensity falling slightly but still remaining in the “high” category. Values fluctuated between 236 and 246 gCO₂/kWh.
• 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM: Evening hours maintained a mix of “high” to “very high” carbon levels, suggesting that non-renewable sources were still heavily relied upon during peak usage times.
• After 9:00 PM: Encouragingly, emissions began to decline significantly. By 11:00 PM, carbon intensity dropped to 195 gCO₂/kWh, a notable improvement and a better time for electricity consumption.

🌱 Why Carbon Intensity Matters

By aligning electricity use — such as washing machines, dishwashers, or charging electric vehicles — with periods of lower carbon intensity, consumers can help lower the overall carbon footprint of the UK grid. This small change, multiplied across millions of homes, can lead to significant environmental benefits.

Tools like Jaxi make it easier to track real-time carbon data and plan energy usage more sustainably. Staying informed is the first step toward reducing your impact.

Let’s continue making conscious energy choices for a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s carbon intensity update right here on Jaxi.