Feeling Positive about UK renewables
By SDMember on June 9, 2017
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On Wednesday 7th June, renewables hit a new peak in generation when over 50% of UK energy was being generated by solar, wind, biomass and hydro. It was the first time ever that wind and solar individually generated more than coal and gas combined. Throw nuclear into the mix, and a massive 70% of the UK’s generation was from non-fossil, low-carbon sources.
Current UK carbon emissions are at their lowest since the 19th century, with a major contributing factor being the rapid phasing-out of coal over the last decade. In 2016 alone, coal use plummeted by 52%, and the government has pledged that all coal-fired power stations in the UK will be closed by 2025. The UK had its first coal-free day on 21st April 2017.
Carbon emission reductions in the energy-generation sector have gone a long way towards the UK’s legally-binding target of reducing overall carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. The current carbon budget is to hit a 35% reduction in emissions by 2020, and as of 2017 we’ve already reduced by 38%.
At Sustainable Direction, we’ve never felt more positive about the low-carbon future of the UK and think recent progress in renewable energy is worth shouting about!
But low-carbon energy is not just for big power stations; organisations and communities large and small can benefit from the security, control and cost-savings of onsite and district generation. Sustainable Direction works with everyone from manufacturing sites to country estates to island nations delivering energy solutions that are helping to create a more sustainable future.
[DKB url="http://www.sustainabledirection.com/contact-us/" text="Contact us" color="grey"] to find out how you could benefit from a sustainable energy scheme.
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