Ørsted & SSE: Low-Carbon Renewables Beat Fossil Power in UK
For the first time, the UK is set to harness more power from low-carbon renewable resources than from fossil fuels for a full year in 2024, according to thinktank Ember.
Renewables, including biomass, first overshadowed fossil fuels back in 2020 in the UK's energy composition.
Ember does not classify biomass power as low-carbon renewable energy.
The phase-out of coal power in October 2024 has allowed other forms of renewables such as wind, solar photovoltaic power and hydropower to lead the UK towards its 2050 net zero goal.
Ember's report shows natural gas usage experienced its third largest fall in more than 10 years, displaced by electricity imports and clean power.
“The renewables future is here,” says Frankie Mayo, Senior Energy and Climate Analyst at Ember.
“This long-awaited milestone is a testament to how much progress the UK has made.
“It’s time to seize the moment, to cut reliance on expensive gas with new renewables, storage, and grid upgrades.
“With the phase-out of coal power completed this year, reducing gas use is the next big opportunity for the country.”
What's in the UK's energy mix?
Ember says that wind energy now forms 29.3%, solar energy at 5.3%, and hydroelectric power at 1.9% of the national power grid in 2024.
While bioenergy contributes 14.2%, nuclear power is just ahead 14.7%.
The report says that increased renewables, among other factors, helped the country to reduce fossil fuel use in 2024.
Ørsted's Hornsea 2 is the UK's largest wind farm, with a capacity of 1.32GW in the North Sea.
Containing 165 Siemens Gamesa turbines, it entered full operation in 2022 and helps to power more than 1.4 million UK homes.
One turbine rotation generates enough electricity to power a home for 24 hours.
When the farm began full operation, Duncan Clark, Head of Region UK at Ørsted, said: "The UK is truly a world leader in offshore wind and the completion of Hornsea 2 is a tremendous milestone for the offshore wind industry, not just in the UK but globally.
“Current global events highlight more than ever the importance of landmark renewable energy projects like Hornsea 2, helping the UK increase the security and resilience of its energy supply and drive down costs for consumers by reducing dependence on expensive fossil fuels.”
The future of renewables in the UK
The closure of the coal Ratcliffe-on-Soar power plant and initiatives like Ørsted’s Hornsea 2 have already set the scene, but the country has more renewable energy in its future.
The Dogger Bank Wind Farm, led by SSE Renewables and to be operated by Equinor, is expected to contribute significantly to the UK's sustainability goals.
Equipped with GE Vernova's Haliade-X turbines, each rotation is capable of powering a household for two days.
Each turbine at this wind farm will have the capacity to generate enough electricity to power a home for two full days with just a single rotation.
Halfdan Brustad, Equinor’s VP UK Renewables, says: “Following first power, Dogger Bank, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, is a key example of what the offshore wind industry can offer, from security of electricity supply to economic growth and long-term jobs.”
The UK government’s approval for the construction of new solar farms, including Sunnica, Low Carbon’s Gate Burton and Mallard Pass will also help to transform its energy landscape.
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