Nukewatch Quarterly Winter 2014
Clean energy produced more electricity in Scotland than nuclear, coal or gas for the first time, in the first half of 2014. Renewable energy in Scotland from wind farms, hydro power and other clean systems provided the single largest source of electricity to the country for the first time, new industry figures showed.
Analysis by the trade body Scottish Renewables showed that renewables produced nearly one third more power than nuclear, coal or gas in the first six months of 2014, generating a record 10.4 terawatt hours during the six-month period. A terawatt is a trillion watts.
The analysis compared Energy Trends data on renewable energy output produced by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, with figures produced by the national grid on coal, gas and nuclear power.
Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said the record figures marked a major leap forward for the government’s plan to generate 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
“This important milestone is good news for anyone who cares about Scotland’s economy, our energy security and our efforts to tackle climate change,” Stuart said.
Onshore wind and hydro power remain Scotland’s main sources of renewable energy, but Stuart said there is significant potential for offshore wind and wave and tidal power if they receive sufficient government support, including new grid connections to Scottish islands.
Scotland’s Business, Energy and Tourism Minister, Fergus Ewing, said the figures highlight the potential that renewable energy has to replace nuclear power.
— The Guardian, Nov. 27, 2014
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