The latest figures from DECC show 2014 was a bumper year for renewable energy with electricity generated from renewable sources up 21% on the previous year just over 64.6TWh.  Offshore wind generation increased by 17% and onshore wind by 10%.  However, the biggest rise was seen in solar panels, which more than doubled.  Bioenergy and hydro increased by 25%.

2015 looks set to be just as impressive with an increase in renewable electricity generation of 15% to 21.1TWh in the first quarter of 2015.  For the same period, onshore wind saw a rise of 4.7% to 7TWh whilst offshore rose by 6.3% to 4.66TWh.  Once again it is solar PV that saw the biggest increase of 60.4% to 0.76TWh.

Sara Powell-Davies, Communications Manager at RenewableUK Cymru, said:

“Given the current uncertainty surrounding the onshore wind industry, surely this figures serve to demonstrate the importance it is playing in securing the UK’s future energy needs.  The Government should be looking for ways to increase this, not throwing obstacles in the way to curtail it.”