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REview21, the REA’s state of the industry annual
report, is published;
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Majority of power and heat technologies saw an increase
in generation from 2018 to 2019, but trends show a slowing of
growth amidst a reduction of support schemes and gaps in
policy;
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Electric vehicles and charging points saw strong
growth, while most circular bioresources continue to
progress;
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Regional job projections included for the first time -
nearly 200,000 jobs in the renewable and clean tech sector
could be created by 2035 all across the UK
The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology’s (REA)
has published their state of industry annual report, REview21.
The report, which presents the latest deployment and employment
figures for the renewable energy and clean technology industry,
concludes that, while steady progress is being made in the
decarbonisation of the UK’s energy supply, it will fall short of
the Government’s Net Zero ambitions without additional investment
and policy support.
Similar findings were found in the latest employment figures.
While the sector saw an uplift in job creation (a 3.2% increase
from the previous year), this figure needs to be higher to both
support the oil and gas industry’s transition to Net Zero, and
the wider economic recovery. Jobs in the industry, much like the
rest of the economy, are also mostly weighted towards London and
the South East at present, but significant numbers of jobs are
distributed across the UK.
Key findings include:
- In 2019, 12.3% of the UK’s energy consumption came from
renewable sources, but while this exceeds the interim target set
for this period, it is unlikely that the UK will meet the 15%
target for 2020 set before Brexit, based on recent growth rates.
- Progress continues to be driven by the power sector. In 2019,
the power sector saw 34.85% of its energy come from renewable
sources, up from 31.07% in 2018.
- Bioenergy sources account for 80% of the UK’s total renewable
heat generation. The reduction of tariff rates under the
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and large gaps in Government heat
decarbonisation policy have stunted the growth of other
technologies however;
- Wind energy accounts for 53% of generation within the
renewable power sector, and there are a range of other
technologies making significant contributions, such as energy
from waste and biomass power - solar PV produces more than 10%;
- Renewable energy generation from anaerobic digestion has
shown healthy progress over the past decade, with the processing
of feedstock increasing from 1.5 million tonnes in 2012 to 8
million in 2018. However, the recycling rates of all household
wastes (excluding IBA metals) have stagnated;
- Transport has been the standout area of growth in this year’s
REview, with a dramatic increase in the number of new car
registrations for electric vehicles and hybrids (from 3.17% to
10.56% between 2019 and 2020). Meanwhile the consumption of
renewable transport fuels grew by 27.3%;
- Nearly 140,000 people were employed in the renewable energy
and clean tech sector in 2019/20 - the REA projects that this
could increase to more than 330,000 by 2035 - the REA has also
included regional job projections for the first time.
Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, CEO of Association for Renewable
Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:“REview21
underlines the continuing resourcefulness, ingenuity and
dedication of our industry and we have seen growth right across
the board. However, despite the increase in renewable energy
generation, it is clear that progress is being shackled by the
reductions in tariff support and gaps in Government policy.
“The same goes for employment. Again, we have seen decent
progress, with nearly 140,000 people now being employed by the
renewable energy and clean tech industry and we believe that
nearly 200,000 extra jobs could be created by 2035.
“This figure might be even greater if the Government properly
backs our sector and puts the industry at the heart of the UK’s
economic recovery. By the same token, these job projections
aren’t a guarantee either. If the sector continues to receive
patchy and short-term support from the Government then we could
fall well short of our sector’s, and, indeed, the country’s
economic potential. We need these new jobs to be fairly
distributed across every region and country that makes up the
United Kingdom too.
“If the Government is serious about reaching their Net Zero
ambitions, and about ‘levelling up’, they need to back our
sector, remove the barriers preventing the growth of our
technologies and help us deliver new jobs and investment. 2021,
the year the UK is hosting COP26, must be a watershed moment. The
time for rhetoric is over, we need to see action.”
Notes to editors:
REA’s annual report, REview21, can be read here in
full.
