Renewable electricity share at 15% in 2013 as UK emissions fall 2%

The government’s latest energy statistics reveal that the production of renewable electricity in the UK increased by 3.5 percentage points in 2013, with renewables now accounting for 15% of the UK’s needs.

Data from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said that renewable energy generation grew by 28% in 2013, while capacity increased by 25%.

On the other hand, coal production was 25% lower than in 2012, oil production fell by 8.8% and natural gas experienced its lowest levels of productivity. The share of nuclear grew by 0.4% compared to the previous year. However, fossil fuels imports keep rising.

Overall, UK greenhouse gas emissions fell by nearly 2% in 2013, thanks to less coal being burnt.

Wind power alone accounts for 50% of clean energy production. Regionally, almost half of Scotland’s energy needs (46%) are now met by renewable power.

Scotland’s energy minister Fergus Ewing commented, “These figures show that renewable generation in Scotland was at a record high last year, meeting around 46% of our electricity demand, and helping keep the lights on across these islands at a time when Ofgem are warning of the ever tightening gap between peak electricity demand and electricity supply.

“Investment in Scottish renewable energy continues to grow. Between January 2010 and April 2013, the industry announced £13.1 billion of investment and over 9,000 associated jobs. Scotland leads the world in the development of marine energy technologies.”

Meanwhile, Nina Skorupska, chief executive of the trade body the Renewable Energy Association (REA), said, “Renewable power projects, from biomass plants to wind farms, are helping reduce the UK’s contribution to climate change, while also limiting our dependence on imports and creating jobs in the new green economy.

“Additionally, households installing solar panels are already seeing their bills come down thanks to the feed-in tariff.

“With the domestic renewable heat Incentive set to launch before Easter, renewable heat technologies, such as wood fuel boilers, will soon be able to play a part as well.”

Further reading:

£310m Hull offshore wind plant given go-ahead as Siemens confirms investment

‘Energetically sustainable’ wind power can provide surplus clean electricity

UK ‘most attractive’ country for offshore wind, says Ernst & Young

63% of MPs recognise renewable energy benefits for UK economy

Scotland gives green light to world’s ‘third largest’ offshore wind farm