As the UK continues to power ahead to its low-carbon destination, renewable energy plays a crucial role in keeping the journey on course to meet clean energy targets. Brent Cheshire explains more.
Offshore wind has been a key element in this renewable energy mix, and has enjoyed rapid growth since the country opened its first offshore wind farm in 2000. Renewable energy now accounts for around 15 per cent of the electricity generated in the UK – double the amount supplied in 2010.
Capacity
The UK has become the global leader in offshore wind, with more capacity in operation than the rest of the world combined. Renewable energy from offshore wind already powers the equivalent of more than two million UK homes, and this figure is set to triple by 2020.
With over 4 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity installed in UK waters, offshore wind already provides around 8 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually. Industry projections see around 6GW of capacity installed by 2016 and around 10 by 2020.
This is all very good news for the UK, which is bracing itself to lose around a quarter of its current generating capacity by the end of this decade as existing nuclear and coal-fired power stations are retired through age or inability to meet tough carbon reduction targets. And more than 50 per cent of current capacity will be retired by 2030.
