https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2017/09/renewable-electricity-production-soars-to-nearly-30-per-cent-coal-falls-further/
[links in on-line article]
Renewable electricity production soars to nearly 30 per cent, coal falls
further
By Jack Loughran
Published Friday, September 29, 2017
Electricity produced from renewable sources accounted for almost 30 per
cent of the total used by the UK in the second quarter, while coal fell
to just 2 per cent, government figures show.
Statistics from the Department for Business and Energy (Beis) showed
that when nuclear was added to the total, low-carbon electricity
production represented over half (53.4 per cent) of that generated in
the UK.
Earlier this year, Britain experienced its first full day without
generating any electricity from coal since the Industrial Revolution.
Statistically the polluting fossil fuel accounted for just 2.1 per cent
of production in comparison to 5.9 per cent for the same period the year
before.
Last year, coal stockpiles in the UK fell to record lows while the
amount of electricity originating from solar leapfrogged coal for the
first time.
Overall, the rise in renewables’ share of power, up from 25.3 per cent
in 2016 to 29.8 per cent this year, was down to more wind turbines and
increased wind speeds, as well as lower overall electricity generation,
according to the report.
Power generated from onshore and offshore wind both rose compared with
the previous year, as did energy from biodegradable waste.
Gas generated 41.3 per cent of the mix, slightly down on last year, and
nuclear accounted for a slightly increased 23.6 per cent in the second
quarter of the year.
The latest data comes after National Grid revealed that this summer was
the “greenest ever” for British power generation, as the share of
low-carbon power in the mix rose to 52 per cent for the period from 21
June to 22 September.
Recent weeks have also seen the price of offshore wind tumble, falling
by 50 per cent compared with two and a half years ago.
Earlier this week, a coalition of green organisations launched a
campaign fronted by ‘Doctor Who’ actor Peter Capaldi calling for the UK
to further embrace offshore wind versus other forms of energy.
Industry body RenewableUK’s executive director Emma Pinchbeck said:
“It’s terrific to see that nearly a third of the UK’s electricity is now
being generated by renewables, with wind power leading the way.
“The UK’s renewable energy sector is an industrial success story,
attracting investment, creating new jobs, and powering our economy.
She urged the government, which has moved to prevent new onshore wind
farms being developed, arguing they “often fail to win public support”,
to rethink its stance on the technology.
“Onshore wind performed particularly well, with generation increasing by
50 per cent compared to the same period last year.
“Onshore wind is the cheapest form of new power plant, so it plays an
absolutely crucial role in keeping consumer bills down.
“When the government holds the next set of competitive auctions for
contracts to generate electricity, low-cost onshore wind deserves the
chance to compete.”
Lawrence Slade, chief executive of Energy UK, said: “These latest
figures underline that renewable energy is now an integral part of our
energy mix, supporting our view that future investment must support a
variety of different technologies.
“As the recent offshore wind auction shows, the cost of renewables is
falling as they play an increasing role in powering our homes and
businesses, and we deliver low-carbon economy at the lowest cost to
consumers.”
Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said:
“The recent energy trends data shows an increase in low-carbon
generation, with our dependence on fossil fuels diminishing.
“This is good news and shows clearly why a balanced mix of energy
sources is good for decarbonisation as well as energy security.
“With two-thirds of the UK’s currently available power due to retire by
2030, including all but one of the current nuclear fleet, the UK will
need the full range of low-carbon technologies to provide the reliable,
secure and readily available power for homes, businesses and public
services.”
