RenewableUK has welcomed new statistics released by analysts at Carbon Brief which show that more electricity was generated by wind than coal in 2016. It’s the first time that wind has outperformed coal for an entire year, generating 11.5% of the UK’s power, compared to just 9.2% from coal. Overall, a quarter of the UK’s electricity came from renewable sources in 2016.
RenewableUK’s Executive Director Emma Pinchbeck said: “This is a historic and exciting change to our power infrastructure. As old-fashioned coal is phased out, modern technologies like wind are stepping up to make sure consumers have reliable energy without the damaging health impacts of coal pollution – as well as delivering for the UK economy.
Over the festive season, renewables were star performers. On Christmas Day wind generated 32% of the UK’s power – more than any other energy source. Renewables are also helping traditional British companies find new opportunities as times change, with Siemens opening a massive factory in Hull, and Harland and Wolff in Belfast supplying steel foundations to the offshore wind industry.
This milestone is a significant landmark and a first for the UK, reflecting a massive decline in coal generation, which contributed just 9.2% of UK electricity last year, with 11.5% from wind. The coal collapse has seen its output fall to the lowest level since 1935.
Globally, energy is shifting to renewables. Investors have seen the way the wind’s blowing, with more than $300bn invested in clean energy last year and private companies divesting away from fossil fuels. The Government should make a New Year’s resolution to back renewables in its forthcoming Industrial Strategy so that the UK can make the most of the exciting changes ahead”.
In his analysis of the trends, Dr Simon Evans from Carbon brief states that “the past 12 months have seen a year of firsts for the UK’s electricity system. At the broadest level, the UK grid is changing as centralised power stations are joined by thousands of smaller sites, particularly renewables, as part of efforts to decarbonise electricity supplies”. It cites factors that “include falling electricity demand, rising imports from continental Europe and changes in the relative price of coal and gas on wholesale energy markets”.
Carbon Brief is a UK-based organisation covering the latest developments in climate science, climate policy and energy policy. It specialises in clear, data-driven articles and graphics to help improve the understanding of climate change, both in terms of the science and the policy response.
RenewableUK is the trade and professional body for the wind, wave and tidal energy industries. Formed in 1978, and with more than 400 corporate members, RenewableUK is the country’s leading renewable energy trade association.