Renewables Biggest Energy Source In UK

Renewable power has outperformed fossil fuels for the first time ever in the UK the latest figures from the government show.

In the third quarter of 2019, renewable sources accounted for 38.9 per cent of the total electricity generated in the country. This is narrowly ahead of gas, which accounted for 38.8 per cent of the UK’s electricity generation in the same three-month period.

Meanwhile, low-carbon energy generation, which also includes nuclear power, climbed to a record 57.3 per cent of the UK’s total energy. At the same time, fossil fuels fell to their lowest level of 40.1 per cent.

Wind and solar power both saw increases in generation of around 22 per cent, but it’s hydro generation that saw the biggest climb of 58 per cent, reNews.biz reported.

Rebecca Williams, head of policy and regulation at RenewableUK, stressed that it’s important for the government to continue pushing for all types of renewable energy to be used in the UK.

“We need to use a wide range of technologies to tackle dangerous climate change, including onshore wind as well as offshore, innovative floating wind and tidal power,” she said.

The Guardian noted that offshore wind generated more energy than onshore wind in the UK in the third quarter of the year, for the first time ever. There have been some big offshore wind projects around the country, which are producing an increasing share of the country’s electricity.

Renewable energy is also an attractive area for investors, with reNews.biz highlighting the findings of a report by GraniteShares earlier this month. It revealed that almost one-third of UK investors would actively put their money into renewable energy in the country with a view to making long-term gains.

 

If you’re interested in generating renewable energy in Cumbria, get in touch with us to find out how we can help.