-
· Government
data shows record renewable electricity generation in Q2 2017,
reaching nearly 30% of the mix
-
· Growth
in renewable power generation comes amid over 50% fall in coal
generation, which reached a record low
-
· Analysis
by the REA, however, shows declining solar PV deployment despite
it being the cheapest means of new power production
available
-
· REA
urges Government now to prioritise decarbonisation of heat and
transport sector
Government data, released today in the quarterly publication
“Energy Trends,” reveals that renewable electricity’s share of
generation has reached a record 29.8% of the mix in Q2 2017,
while output from coal fell 50% to a record low of 2.1%.
However, analysis from the Renewable Energy Association of solar
PV deployment data also reveals the startling trend that while
solar PV deployment (MW capacity) grew by over 50% between
January and September 2015, growth declined to 18% between the
same months in 2016 and in 2017 deployment between the same
months has only grown by 6%. The REA believes that this is due to
Government policy restricting the routes to market for this
technology which separate government data reveals to be the
cheapest source of new electricity generation capacity.
Commenting on the review, James Court, Head of Policy and
External Affairs at the Renewable Energy Association said:
“This is another milestone in the journey towards a more
affordable, flexible, and consumer-focused energy system. This
success has been facilitated by the rapid fall in cost for
renewable technologies such as solar and wind, which are now the
most cost effective means of new power generation. The Government
must address the policy barriers which have unnecessarily impeded
their deployment over the last year and give the industry clarity
around how the market will be structured in the 2020’s.
“We must now also replicate this progress within the heat and
transport sectors. This means deploying renewable technologies
which are able utilise resources such as waste, bioenergy and low
carbon power, coupled with smarter and more efficient housing.
There is no single silver bullet.”
—ENDS—
Notes to editors
