UK now producing more than 10 per cent energy from renewable sources

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The Government has published an updated Renewable Energy Roadmap that shows the UK generates more than 10 per cent of its energy from renewable sources.

As a result, the UK is on track to meet its 15 per cent renewable energy target by 2020, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

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Since the Renewable Energy Roadmap was first published in July 2011, there has been a 27 per cent increase in overall renewable electricity generated and a 40 per cent increase in renewable capacity.

During the 12 months to the end of June 2012, 38 per cent of the renewable electricity generated in the UK came from bioenergy.

Half of this came from landfill gas, with the remainder coming from sewage gas, other wastes, wood, bioliquids and animal and plant residues.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: “Renewable energy is increasingly powering the UK’s grid, and the economy too.

“It’s a fantastic achievement that more than 10 per cent of our power now comes from renewables, given the point from which we started.

“Right now, getting new infrastructure investment into the economy is crucial to driving growth and supporting jobs across the country. I am determined that we get ahead in the global race on renewables and build on the big-money investments we’ve seen this year.”

Among bioenergy facilities listed in the document, it notes that Vireol has been given consent for a £200 million biorefinery in the Yorkshire and Humber region, Helius is spending £300 million to develop an Avonmouth biomass plant in the south west, while Viridor has begun construction of a £205 million energy from waste plant in London.