For the first time ever, more energy in the UK was supplied by renewable sources than coal. For an entire quarter. Wind, solar, and bioenergy checked in at 25% of the energy supplied.
All of this was possible due to the fact that more wind turbines and solar panels were installed, which must be a good amount if you want to compare it to the same period last year, for which these energy options only accounted for 16.4% of electricity.
Recently, the UK has been working to close aging coal and nuclear power plants.
Of course, this will lead to its own issues…
Conservative ministers collectively believe that the subsidies given to renewable energy were too numerous, going so far as to suggest plans for an 87% reduction of solar power, and to cut support for onshore wind farms.
With that kind of spending cut, it’s not surprising to hear that industry execs believe these actions would unjustly put an end to renewable energy just as it was gaining traction.
Keep in mind that, solar energy is still leading the charge in the UK’s push for renewables, and electrical generation from offshore wind farms increased 65% between the second quarters of 2014 and 2015.
Moreover, biomass was another big contender, increasing 26% increase during the same period, which was largely thanks to the switch from burning coal to wood chips at one of the Drax power stations.
As you can see, electrical generation from these sources are steadily building over the past two years:
Even Al Gore is taking umbrage with the UK’s attack on green energy, and publicly listed a series of reversals on green policies.
But rosy green outlooks aside, there’s another player to consider: natural gas.
As you and I both know, the Conservative-controlled Parliament is making strides in fast-tracking a shale gas exploration period. is
And whenever we talk about hydraulic fracturing, there’s always the fractivists to consider. And it’s going to be interesting to see whether or not politicians in the UK will be able to finally convince them that the practice is simply an inconvenient truth they’ll have to accept if the country ever plans on transitioning away from coal.
To continue reading…
Click here to read the article from The Guardian.
Until next time,
Keith Kohl
Check us out on YouTube!A true insider in the technology and energy markets, Keith’s research has helped everyday investors capitalize from the rapid adoption of new technology trends and energy transitions. Keith connects with hundreds of thousands of readers as the Managing Editor of Energy & Capital, as well as the investment director of Angel Publishing’s Energy Investor and Technology and Opportunity.
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