-
· Government
data shows that the overall energy output from bioenergy and
waste, wind, solar and hydro is now nearly 13 times higher than
coal. This comes just seven years after generation from coal was
greater
-
· Renewables
share of electricity generation was at a record high in 2018
producing 111 TWh with a 33.3% share
-
· Renewables
share of electricity generation peaked in Q4 at 37.1% a 7%
increase on 7% from Q4 2017 driven by a growth in renewable
generation
-
· Renewable
generation was up 11.8% in 2018
Government data, released today in the ‘Energy Trends’
publication revealed that total energy production from renewables
is now nearly 13 times higher than coal following an 11.8%
increase in renewable generation. This marks a significant
milestone for renewables as energy production from coal was still
greater than that of renewables only seven years ago.
The data also found that renewables share of electricity
generation was at a record high for the third consecutive quarter
reaching 37.1% of the share in Q4 2018. This is 7% higher than Q4
2017 directly contributing to the record breaking 111TWh
generated by renewables in 2018.
The data revealed that despite a 19% increase of Solar PV
generation in 2018, there was only 2.5% additional capacity in Q4
2018 compared to Q4 2017. This signals a continuation of the
minimal growth in Feed-in Tariffs following the announced closure
of the scheme. With the Feed-in Tariff set to close this Sunday,
this trend is expected to continue until the introduction of the
Smart Export Guarantee or an alternative route to market.
Commenting on the review, James Court, Policy &
External Affairs Director at the Renewable Energy Association
said:
“Despite a somewhat tumultuous environment, renewables are
going from strength to strength and this is highlighted in the
data released today. Output from renewables being almost thirteen
times higher than that of coal is something that was deemed
wishful thinking less than a decade ago yet renewables breaking
records has become the norm.
“For this to continue, the Government must support the
industry. Moving into the 2020’s we need much more clarity on
actual hard policy to help households and companies to install
their own clean tech, provide routes to market for large
scale renewables and make the UK a world leader in in the energy
revolution that will see future jobs and cheaper, cleaner and
smarter energy system.”
—ENDS—
Notes to editors
