UK Renewables Displaced 38 Million Tonnes Of C02 In 2013
Figured confirmed by the UK’s Energy and Climate Change Minister, Amber Rudd, show that the country’s renewable energy industry served to displace nearly 38 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2013.
The question was tabled by Scottish National Party MP Eilidh Whiteford, prompting Ms. Rudd to provide the statistics in question, which read thus:
- The UK as a whole displaced 37.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide as a result of renewable electricity generation
- England displaced 22.8 million tonnes
- Scotland displaced 11.9 million tonnes
- Wales displaced 1.9 million tonnes
In response to Scotland’s figures, Joss Blamire, Senior Policy Manager at Scottish Renewables, said: “This means that not only are renewables now the number one source of electricity in Scotland, but we have achieved this milestone while preventing a record amount of harmful carbon emissions from being released into our atmosphere.
“Renewable energy in Scotland is doing exactly what it was designed to do: creating jobs, securing our energy supplies and, most importantly, reducing our carbon emissions to help limit climate change.”
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These figures only go further to confirm Scotland as an important leader in the global renewable energy industry. For two months running, WeatherEnergy data has shown that wind energy alone has generated enough electricity to supply the total household needs of all Scottish residents — generating 812 MWh in November, 107% of all Scottish household needs.
“While Torness nuclear power station had to be shutdown unexpectedly, November turned out to be another big month for wind power in Scotland, with enough pollution-free electricity generated to supply 107 per cent of Scottish households with the electricity they need,” said WWF Scotland’s director Lang Banks. “Even on calmer days, when wind wasn’t at its strongest, wind still supplied the equivalent of almost a third of electricity needs of every home. It’s clear that wind is now a critical and growing part of our current power sector.”
Speaking about the figures released by Ms. Rudd, Banks added:
“That renewables in Scotland are now helping to displace almost a million tonnes of climate pollution every month is fantastic news, and proof that a renewable power sector is the foundation of a truly low carbon economy – keeping the lights on, creating jobs and cutting emissions.
“Right now, governments from almost 200 countries are meeting in Peru to agree how they will reduce global emissions and prevent the worst impacts of climate change. The growing success of renewables in helping to cut emissions both in Scotland and across Europe is exactly what is needed right now to help encourage other countries to secure a good deal on climate.”
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