UK - Overview

The UK has a very large renewable energy potential, see Table 1 below.

Potential % of overall UK electricity supply in 2050
Onshore wind 8-11%
Offshore wind 18-23%
Wave/Tidal 12-14%
Biomass 9-11%
PV solar 6.8%
TOTAL 53-67%

Based on overall likely level of supply of 400-500 TWh in 2050
Source: DTI/Carbon Trust ‘Renewables Innovation Review’ 2004

The current programme envisages the UK obtaining 10% of its electricity from renewables by 2010, 15% by 2015, and 20% by 2020. See chart.

The new EU Renewables directive has proposed that the UK get 20% of its energy from renewables by 2020. At present it gets about 2%

• •Overview
•  UK Wave & Tidal
•  UK Wind
•  UK Biomass