The UK renewable energy sector hit a new record in the year’s second quarter, generating 25.3% of the country’s electricity and beating out coal for the first time.
The UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change published figures this week (PDF) highlighting the energy mix for the second quarter of 2015, covering April to June. According to the DECC, renewables generated 25.3% of UK’s electricity in the second quarter, with 42% of that figure coming from onshore and offshore wind, meaning that wind generated 10.7% of the UK’s electricity needs.
More significant was the place of renewables compared to other types of energy generation.
Gas accounted for 30.2% of all electricity generated in the second quarter, while nuclear generated 21.5% and coal only accounted for 20.5%, putting renewables at a healthy second position overall.
Renewable energy’s share of electricity generation from 16.7% in the second quarter of 2014 to 25.3% in Q2’15, totalling 19.9 TWh, an increase of 51.4% over a year earlier.
“Renewables have now become Britain’s second largest source of electricity, generating more than a quarter of our needs,” crowed RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Maria McCaffery. “The new statistics show that Britain is relying increasingly on dependable renewable sources to keep the country powered up, with onshore and offshore wind playing the leading roles in our clean energy mix.
“As the transition to clean electricity continues apace, we’d welcome clearer signals from Government that it’s backing the installation of vital new projects. So far, we’ve had a series of disappointing announcements from Ministers since May which unfortunately betray a lack of positive ambition at the heart of Government. If Ministers want to see good statistics like we’ve had today continuing into the years ahead, they have to knuckle down, listen to the high level of public support we enjoy, and start making positive announcements on wind, wave and tidal energy.”
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