UK Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has released energy statistics report for the fourth quarter of 2015, with the provisional annual data for the year.
In 2015 Q4, total electricity generated fell by 2.0% from 90.0 TW/h a year earlier to 88.2 TW/h.
The share of renewables (hydro, wind and other renewables) in electricity generation has increased by 5.0% to a record 26.9% in the fourth quarter of 2015, from 21.8% in 2014 Q4.
This reflects an increase in capacity, particularly in solar photovoltaics and onshore and offshore wind, the report states.
Total electricity generated from renewables in 2015 Q4 was up by 21% on 2014 Q4, from 19.7 TW/h to a record high of 23.8 TW/h.
At the end of fourth quarter of 2015, the UK’s renewable electricity capacity totaled 30.0 GW, an increase of 22% or 5.4 GW on that installed at the end of 2014 Q4, and up 1.2% or 0.3 GW on that installed at the end of the previous quarter.
The provisional annual data for 2015 show that renewables’ share of electricity generation was a record 24.7% in 2015, an increase of 5.6% on the 19.1% in 2014.
In 2015, renewable electricity generation was 83.3 TW/h, an increase of 28.9% on the 64.7 TW/h in 2014.
Renewable electricity capacity was 30.0 GW at the end of 2015, a 21.9% increase or 5.4 GW on a year earlier.
Maf Smith , RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive, welcomed the report, saying: “These excellent figures show that renewable energy is delivering huge amounts of clean electricity right now, and that overall energy costs are coming down – including wind energy
“Putting the consumer first means putting renewables first. As old coal turns off, renewables are quietly taking its place, delivering energy security and value for money. It makes more sense than ever to fully support and take advantage of our natural resources.”