Renewable and non-renewable energy are two types of resources used to generate electricity, heat, and power. Renewable energy is derived from natural sources that are replenished over time, while non-renewable energy sources are finite and cannot be replaced once they are used up.
Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and biomass. The United Kingdom has abundant renewable energy resources, especially wind and solar, which are becoming increasingly important in the country’s energy mix. In 2019, renewable energy accounted for 37.1% of the UK’s electricity generation, up from 33.1% in 2018.
Wind energy is the UK’s largest renewable energy source, with a total capacity of 22.9 GW. The UK is the world leader in offshore wind energy, with more than 10 GW of capacity installed in the North Sea, Irish Sea, and English Channel. Solar energy is also growing rapidly in the UK, with an installed capacity of 13.2 GW. The UK has more than 1 million solar panel installations, mostly on residential rooftops.
Hydroelectric power is another renewable energy source in the UK, with a total capacity of 1.7 GW. The UK has several large hydroelectric power stations, including the Dinorwig and Ffestiniog power stations in Wales, and the Cruachan power station in Scotland. Geothermal energy is still in its early stages of development in the UK, but there are several geothermal projects underway, including the United Downs Deep Geothermal Power Project in Cornwall.
Biomass is another renewable energy source in the UK, with a total capacity of 3.3 GW. Biomass is derived from organic matter, such as wood chips, sawdust, or agricultural waste, that is burned to generate steam, which is then used to power turbines. Biomass can be used as a replacement for coal in power plants, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Non-renewable energy sources include coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear. These resources are finite and will eventually be depleted, which is why they are referred to as non-renewable. The UK has a long history of using non-renewable energy sources, especially coal, which was the main source of energy for many years.
Coal was the UK’s largest source of electricity generation until 2018, when it was surpassed by gas. The UK has been phasing out coal-fired power plants in recent years, and the government has set a target to phase out all unabated coal-fired power plants by 2024. Unabated coal-fired power plants are those that do not use carbon capture and storage technology to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Natural gas is the UK’s largest source of electricity generation, with a total capacity of 39.8 GW. Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is extracted from underground reservoirs and burned to generate electricity. The UK has several offshore natural gas fields in the North Sea, as well as onshore fields in England and Wales.
Oil is another non-renewable energy source in the UK, with a total production of 1.6 million barrels per day in 2019. Oil is primarily used for transportation, but it is also used to generate electricity in some power plants. The UK has several offshore oil fields in the North Sea, as well as onshore fields in England and Scotland.
Nuclear energy is the UK’s third-largest source of electricity generation, with a total capacity of 8.9 GW. Nuclear power plants generate electricity by harnessing the energy released by nuclear fission, which splits the nucleus of an atom. The UK has several nuclear power plants, including the Hinkley Point C plant, which is currently under construction in Somerset.
In conclusion, renewable and non-renewable energy sources are both important in meeting the UK’s energy needs. However, renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important in the country’s energy mix, as the UK aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy. The UK has abundant renewable energy resources, especially wind and solar, which can be harnessed to generate electricity, heat, and power.
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