The latest Renewable Energy Roadmap status report, published in December, shows that renewable power output grew 27 percent from July 2011 – June 2012 while overall, renewable energy accounted for 10 percent of total electricity.
DECC says that this leaves the UK well placed to meet its target of sourcing 15 percent of all energy from renewables by 2020. Much of the boost in green energy production has resulted from a 60 percent jump in offshore wind capacity and a five fold increase in solar PV.
Energy secretary Ed Davey said: “Renewable energy is increasingly powering the UK’s grid, and the economy too. It’s a fantastic achievement that more than 10 percent of our power now comes from renewables, given the point from which we started.”
Maf Smith, deputy chief executive of RenewableUK, said: “It’s right to note that costs are falling steadily, so renewables will continue to offer even better value for money for all of us.
“This will help to stabilise the price of energy, providing a secure alternative to importing expensive fossil fuels.”
Paul Barwell, ceo of the STA, added: ‘‘The Renewables Roadmap shows that solar PV is now fully recognised as a significant contributor to the UK’s renewables mix. We’d go further and say solar PV will be a heavy-lifter in the UK’s broader energy mix. We’re going to be a lot cheaper than CCS (carbon capture and storage) and nuclear in the 2020’s.”
The Renewables Roadmap report can be read in full here.