Renewables supplied a record 25% of UK energy in Q2

In the second quarter of 2015 renewables accounted for 25.3% of electricity generation in the UK.

This is up from supplying only 16.7% of power in the same period last year and it is the first time that renewables have generated more than coal in a quarter.

Energy sourced from coal dropped down to 20.5% in the second quarter.

Renewables were second only to gas, which accounted for 30% of electricity generation, according to the latest figures released by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

The DECC said that renewables benefited from more favourable weather conditions.

Wind speeds were higher and there was plenty of sunlight – average sun hours were higher than the ten-year average.

Britain is making steps in the direction when it comes to using renewable energy sources

Industry body RenewableUK’s chief executive Maria McCaffery said: “The new statistics show that Britain is relying increasingly on dependable renewable sources to keep the country powered up, with onshore and offshore wind playing the leading roles in our clean energy mix.”

She added: ”If ministers want to see good statistics like we’ve had today continuing into the years ahead, they have to knuckle down, listen to the high level of public support we enjoy, and start making positive announcements on wind, wave and tidal energy.”

Juliet Davenport, chief executive of renewable energy company Good Energy, commented: “Yet again renewables are really proving their worth. It’s fantastic to see that a quarter of our electricity has come from renewable sources over a three month period for the first time. A future powered solely by renewables is possible but only if practical and pragmatic, evidence based policy for renewable energy is in place.”

A spokeswoman for the DECC said that the cost of renewable energy in the UK has been declining thanks to increasing government support.

“Government support has driven down the cost of renewable energy significantly and these statistics show that has successfully enabled renewables to compete with other technologies,” she said.

“Our priority is now to move towards a low-carbon economy whilst ensuring subsidies are used where they are needed most, which provides the best value for money for hardworking bill payers.”