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Renewable energy out per forms
coal in new official UK electricity statistics
THE Government's new annual energy
statistics show that renewable energy sources are replacing coal as mainstream
technologies generating power for British homes, offices and factories.
The new figures have confirmed that 25% of the UK's electricity was generated from
renewable
in 2016; an increase of 29% on 2014. 48% of this came from wind
power alone. 1 in 8 units of electricity generated in the UK came from wind.
In comparison, coal generated 22% of the country's electricity; down from 30% in
2014.
RenewableUK's Deputy Chief Executive Maf Smith said:- "The Government took
the right decision when it announced the phasing out of coal. Now we can see
renewable energy filling the gap, replacing old technology with new. 2015 was
the 1st year that renewable outperformed coal.
A quarter of Britain's power is now coming from wind, wave and tidal power and
other renewable energy sources. Renewables are now part of our energy
mainstream, helping us modernise the way we keep the lights on by building new
infrastructure for the generations to come".
The contribution of offshore wind grew by 30% in 2015, while onshore wind grew
by 23%. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which
published the figures, said this was due to increases in capacity, load factors
and higher wind speeds.
The Government's latest poll on the public's views on energy, the Public
Attitudes Tracking Survey, was also published today. It showed that 76% of
people support renewable energy.
Did you know that 70% of people also said renewable projects
provide economic benefits to the UK? Do you agree? Email us your
views to
News24@SouthportReporter.com. |
