New record for UK renewables

Renewable energy has set a new annual record, supplying more than half of the UK’s electricity last year.

The latest Digest of UK Energy Statistics published by the Government shows renewable energy supplied 50.4% of the nation’s power. Fossil fuel generation fell to 31.8% from 36.7% the previous year.

Low carbon sources, which include nuclear, accounted for a combined 64.7% of electricity generation.

Wind remained the main clean power source, generating a record 83.3TWh and accounting for 29.2% of electricity generation.

RenewableUK deputy chief executive Jane Cooper said the figures show renewables “stand firmly as the backbone of the UK’s energy system”.

“Now we need to make sure we don’t just continue to build new wind, solar and nuclear plants, but we reform our electricity markets and grid so that billpayers can get maximum benefit from the clean energy rollout.”