2011 was a good year for Britain’s renewable industry, as technology such as ground heating systems, solar panels and wind turbines helped cut carbon emissions by 7%.

On top of this, renewable products in the UK were also responsible for 9.5% of the country’s electricity generation. Although this just missed out on the 10% hoped by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), it’s still a significant step forward in the UK’s battle to create environmentally friendly energy.

  • Renewables in the UK now account for 9.5% of the country’s electricity
  • This includes solar panels and wind turbines
  • Ground heating systems and biomass boilers produce free heat
  • All renewables can be scaled down for use in homes
  • They cut energy bills and help homeowners escape fuel poverty

It was a big overhaul of the 2010 figures, as renewables accounted for 35% more last year, up from 6.8%. This shows that the public and businesses are taking advantage of what renewables have to offer and the benefits of ground heating systems, solar panels and other technologies.

Although ground heating systems and solar panels had a large bearing on the UK’s renewable output, it was the biomass and landfill gas that contributed to the lion’s share. Together, thermal renewables had an output of 13.27 TWh and onshore wind turbines accounted for 10.42 TWh.

Britain’s solar capacity has also stretched past 298,762 installations, with the incentive of the feed-in tariff.
Greenhouse gas reduction

As well as the renewable output, carbon emissions were cut by 7% and since the Kyoto Protocol in 1990, gases have been reduced by 23%.

  • Renewables such as ground heating systems reduce carbon emissions
  • They generate free energy using a natural source
  • Renewables directly replace coal, gas and oil, which release carbon emissions when burned

Edward Davey, secretary for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, said: “This is more evidence of how the UK is leading the way in the fight against climate change. Carbon emissions are down, homes are more energy efficient and low carbon power is up. Thanks to the Green Deal and the Government’s reforms to the electricity market I hope to see this trend continue and gather pace.”