The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), has published an update to its 2011 ‘UK Renewable Energy Roadmap’.

The 2012 roadmap, published last week (27 December), shows that the UK is on track to meet its ‘first interim target’ of sourcing 15 per cent of all energy from renewable technologies by 2020.

The updated edition shows that ‘significant progress’ was made between July 2011 and July 2011, including:

• An increase of 27 per cent, to 39.7 terawatt hours, in total renewable electricity generated;
• An increase of 40 per cent in renewable energy capacity, of which 10 per cent is now provided for by renewables;
• An increase of 60 per cent, to 2.5 gigawatts, in off-shore wind capacity;
• An increase of 500 per cent, to 1.4 gigawatts, in solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity.

Solar is 'key technology'

The huge rise in solar photovoltaic capacity is down to the falling costs of solar PVs (which the DECC claims has dropped by 50 per cent) and has thus marked solar technology as 'a key technology' for the UK's future renewable electricity scene.

The DECC goes on to outline that due to the falling costs of solar PV, there was a 466 per cent increase in solar installations in the UK between June 2011-June 2012.

Paul Barwell of The Solar Trade Association welcomed the emphasis on solar power, saying: ‘‘The Renewables Roadmap shows that solar PV is now fully recognised as a significant contributor to the UK’s renewables mix. We’d go further and say solar PV will be a heavy-lifter in the UK’s broader energy mix. We’re going to be a lot cheaper than CCS and nuclear in the 2020’s. It’s therefore absolutely right that solar has its own dedicated strategy, as gas now has, and we look forward to working with DECC on this.‘‘

The DECC is quick to outline, however, that growth is expected to continue or increase in all renewable energy sectors, particularly in the offshore and onshore wind and bio energy sectors. The report also notes that ‘significant growth’ is expected in industrial and domestic wood use, with heat pump installations also expected once the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) come into full effect.

Speaking about the update, Energy Secretary, Edward Davey said: “It’s a fantastic achievement that more than ten percent of our power now comes from renewables, given the point from which we started.

“Right now, getting new infrastructure investment into the economy is crucial to driving growth and supporting jobs across the country. I am determined that we get ahead in the global race on renewables and build on the big-money investments we’ve seen this year.”

The Economy

The number of direct and immediate supply chain jobs supplied by the renewable energy sector is also predicted to rise. It currently supports around 110,000 direct and immediate jobs, a figure which is expected to rise to 400,000 by 2020. Economic growth is also expected across the UK, with a total of £12.7 billion worth of investment having been made between April 2011 and July 2012.

Minister of State for Energy, John Hayes said: “Energy is crucial to our economic well-being, bringing in major investment and supporting jobs across the country.

“I firmly believe that a diverse energy mix is the best way to ensure our energy security. It is extremely encouraging that we have made such positive steps on renewable energy as part of that mix.”

Anaerobic Digestion

However, in response to the DECC’s publication of its updated renewable energy roadmap, the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) has voiced concern at the lack of anaerobic digestion in the government’s plan and has published its own roadmap for anaerobic digestion.

In its response, ADBA pointed out that according to an independent report conducted by thinktank CentreForum in July 2012, Anaerobic Digestion ‘already generates four times more energy than solar PV’ and with the ‘right support’ could experience a growth of 800 per cent by 2020.

Commenting on the publication of the government’s roadmap, ADBA Chief Executive, Charlotte Morton said: “DECC’s updated roadmap details some good progress on renewable energy, reflected in steady growth in AD in 2012, and lays out some helpful actions for the sector as a whole.

“However, delivering the coalition’s commitment to a huge increase in energy from waste though anaerobic digestion requires a much more focused effort – and the government’s roadmap doesn’t even have a specific section on AD, or mention the potential for biomethane as a transport fuel. ADBA’s Anaerobic Digestion Roadmap… contains some simple actions which fill in these gaps.

“AD could bring huge benefits to the UK, not only as a flexible, constantly generated form of renewable energy but by providing more sustainable waste treatment, supporting climate-smart farming and improving our air quality.”

Read the Government’s ‘UK Renewable Energy Roadmap Update’