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and Future
By Dr Ian Mays MBE - Managing Director, Renewable Energy Systems Group
Renewable energy currently provides around 16% of
global final energy consumption. Of this 10% comes from
traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating,
and 3.4% from hydroelectricity. Modern renewables
(small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal,
and biofuels) account for another 2.8% and are growing
very rapidly. Wind power is growing at the rate of 30%
annually, with worldwide installed capacity reaching
198 gigawatts (GW) in 2010 across Europe, Asia and the
Americas.
Climate change and energy security concerns have led to
increasing government support for renewables, driving
specific renewable energy legislation and incentives.
For the UK, over the next ten years, around a quarter
of the existing generating capacity will shut down as
our coal and nuclear power stations reach the end of
their useful life. More than 110bn in investment will
be needed to build the equivalent of 20 larger power
stations and upgrade the grid. In the longer term
electricity demand is expected to increase dramatically
as we shift more transport and heating electricity.
The Government has committed to
modernising and transforming the UKs
electricity system to ensure future
supplies are secure, low
carbon and affordable.