Renewable energy has become a buzzword in recent years, as countries around the world attempt to reduce their carbon footprint and tackle climate change. In the United Kingdom, the government has set ambitious targets for increasing the use of renewable energy sources in the coming years. But how much of the world’s energy actually comes from renewables, and what progress has the UK made in this area?
According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy accounted for 11.2% of the world’s total primary energy supply in 2018. This includes sources such as hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, and bioenergy. While this percentage may seem small, it represents a significant increase from just a decade ago, when renewables made up only 7.4% of the global energy mix.
Some countries have made more progress in adopting renewable energy sources than others. Iceland, for example, relies almost entirely on renewable energy, with geothermal and hydropower sources supplying over 99% of its electricity. Other countries with high levels of renewable energy use include Norway, Costa Rica, and Uruguay.
In the UK, renewable energy accounted for 11% of the country’s total energy consumption in 2018, according to government statistics. This included 33% of electricity generation, with wind power being the largest source of renewable energy. The UK has set a target to generate 30% of its electricity from renewables by 2020, and has made significant progress towards this goal in recent years.
One of the key drivers of renewable energy growth in the UK has been the government’s support for the sector through subsidies and incentives. The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme, for example, provided financial incentives for households and businesses to generate their own renewable energy, such as through solar panels or wind turbines. However, the scheme was closed to new applicants in March 2019, and there are concerns that this could slow down the growth of renewable energy in the UK.
Despite these concerns, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of renewable energy in the UK. The government has set a target to generate 50% of the country’s electricity from renewables by 2030, and has also committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This will require a significant increase in the use of renewable energy sources, as well as other measures such as energy efficiency improvements and the electrification of transport.
In addition to the environmental benefits, renewable energy can also provide economic opportunities. The UK’s renewable energy sector employs over 100,000 people and has attracted significant investment in recent years. The government has also identified the sector as a key area for growth and innovation, and has provided funding for research and development.
In conclusion, while renewable energy still accounts for a relatively small percentage of the world’s total energy supply, there is growing momentum towards its adoption. In the UK, renewable energy has made significant progress in recent years, and the government has set ambitious targets for its future use. While there are challenges to be overcome, such as the closure of the FIT scheme, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the potential of renewable energy to provide a sustainable and low-carbon future.
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