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Renewable energy electricity generation increases to record high

Analysis from UK-based website, Carbon Brief, has found that electricity generation in the UK has fallen to its lowest level since 1994, whilst simultaneously, renewable energy electricity generation soared to a record high accounting for 33% in 2018.

Carbon Brief provides regular analysis of the UK’s electricity systems in addition to its news coverage of global climate science, climate policy, and energy policy. The site is dedicated to ‘improve the understanding of climate change, both in terms of the science and the policy response’ and, earlier this month, published an analysis of UK electricity generation data from BM Reports, Sheffield Solar, and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Electricity generation in the UK in 2018 fell by 63 TWh, or 16%, from 2005 levels despite the fact the UK population increased by 10% over the same period. Further, according to Carbon Brief, if per capita electricity generation had continued at 2005 levels, then the total in 2018 would have measured 439 TWh, meaning that the country has saved 103 TWh relative to constant per capita generation.

Specifically, according to Carbon Brief, a total of 335 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity was generated in the United Kingdom in 2018, down slightly on the 339 TWh generated in 2017. The last time levels were this low was 1994, when total electricity generation amounted to 326 TWh, which was followed a year later by 337 TWh. (image: UK electricity generation 1920-2018)

Similarly, UK electricity generation continues to track away from traditional economic orthodoxy, which states a growing economy must be matched by a growing use of electricity. In fact, as can be seen below, the break between generation and GDP split decades ago, in 1980, since when the economy has expanded more than two-fold.

At the same time as this decoupling is taking place, so too is a significant decline in the use of fossil fuels — especially coal, which has taken a hard nosedive ever since 2012. Low-carbon sources accounted for a record 53% of the total electricity generated in 2018, according to Carbon Brief, a new record thanks in large part to strong growth in the UK’s wind sector, which increased by 16% to generate 58 TWh in 2018. Offshore wind capacity nearly doubled over the course of 2018 and more are set to open in 2019, while solar generation increased by 11% to reach 13 TWh in 2018.

“A record one-third of the UK’s electricity is now coming from renewables, and fossil fuels are continuing to decline. This is one of the best examples of our country taking real action against climate change and we can all be proud of it.” said RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Maf Smith.

“More than 50% of the UK’s power now comes from low carbon sources thanks particularly to growth of onshore and offshore wind, which is a great way to start 2019, but we need to continue building renewables in the years ahead to maximise our natural resources.”

Source: https://cleantechnica.com/2019/01/09/uk-electricity-generation-falls-to-1994-levels-as-renewable-generation-soars/