Engineering news
Between the third quarter of 2016 and the same period in 2017, coal and other solid fuel consumption in the UK fell by 21%, new figures from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis) showed today.
Low-carbon power – from nuclear and renewables such as wind – climbed to a record 54.4% of electricity generated in the third quarter of 2017, up from 50.2% the previous year. The change was driven by increased renewables generation, Beis said, reaching 30% of generation.
The speed of the transition away from coal, which saw a drop in demand of 18% over one year and stood at 2.9% of generation, is “breath-taking”, said RenewableUK executive director Emma Pinchbeck to Professional Engineering.
2017 was a “landmark year” for offshore wind in particular, she said, with new projects now cheaper than nuclear and gas plants.
“We’re seeing major advances in new offshore wind technology,” she said. “The largest turbines in UK waters now have a capacity of 8MW, and developers are already planning to use 13-15MW turbines in the 2020s. The UK is leading the world in offshore wind innovation with the opening in October of the world’s first floating wind farm, in Scottish waters - two further floating projects are now being developed in the UK.”
Pinchbeck also highlighted good performance from onshore wind facilities, with a 20% increase in generation in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same in 2016. Despite its success, she said it is excluded from competing against other technologies for new contracts. “That has to change in the New Year if consumers are to be offered the best deal,” she said.
The Nuclear Industry Association also celebrated its sector’s performance, which accounted for 24.4% of electricity generated.
“These figures show the valuable contribution the nuclear sector makes in providing secure, low-carbon… power to homes, businesses and public services across the country,” a spokesman told PE.
However, he added: “With around two thirds of the currently available power due to close in the period to 2030 it is vital there is continued investment in new nuclear in order to replace this generation capacity.”
The association also highlighted positives in Scotland, where nuclear power provided 42.8% of electricity last year and renewables 42.9%. “With 86% of Scotland’s energy generation coming from low-carbon sources, Scotland’s power mix demonstrates how carbon emissions can be reduced while maintaining a reliable and secure power supply for homes, business and public services,” said chief executive Tom Greatrex.
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.