Uk Targets in Terms of Renewable Energy
What are the UK targets in terms of renewable energy? * The Government is committed to supporting renewable energy as part of a diverse, low-carbon and secure energy mix. Alongside gas and low-carbon transport fuels, nuclear power and carbon capture and storage (CCS), renewable energy brings energy security, decarbonisation of our economy and green growth. Since the first Renewable Energy Roadmap in 2011, the UK is on track to meet our first interim target on the way towards our ambitious target of 15% renewable energy by 2020
At current how does the UK generate electricity? * Nuclear power generates around one sixth of the United Kingdom's electricity, using 16 operational nuclear reactors at nine plants (approximately 16% in 2009) * Natural gas is currently the most important single fuel for electricity generation, accounting for 38.5% of the UK total in 2005. However, the production of domestic North Sea gas is falling as reserves tail off, leaving Britain more reliant on imports with all the political uncertainty this can bring. The problem was starkly illustrated in late 2005, when a bitter dispute with Ukraine saw Russia reduce gas pipeline flows, affecting supplies to the EU. * Despite its unchallenged primacy as the fuel most consumers come into contact with directly, oil plays only a minor role in generation, providing just 1.4% of total output. * Although coal-fired power stations still provide 34% of total electricity, the domestic coal industry is a shadow of its former self. Coal-fired power stations are less polluting than they once were, but still produce large amounts of greenhouse gases. However, some believe the emerging technology of "carbon capture", in which emissions are not released into the atmosphere, could see a new lease of life for coal. * Power from running water currently supplies 1.25% of the country's electricity, providing virtually emission-free power once the initial impact of building the plant has been
At current how does the UK generate electricity? * Nuclear power generates around one sixth of the United Kingdom's electricity, using 16 operational nuclear reactors at nine plants (approximately 16% in 2009) * Natural gas is currently the most important single fuel for electricity generation, accounting for 38.5% of the UK total in 2005. However, the production of domestic North Sea gas is falling as reserves tail off, leaving Britain more reliant on imports with all the political uncertainty this can bring. The problem was starkly illustrated in late 2005, when a bitter dispute with Ukraine saw Russia reduce gas pipeline flows, affecting supplies to the EU. * Despite its unchallenged primacy as the fuel most consumers come into contact with directly, oil plays only a minor role in generation, providing just 1.4% of total output. * Although coal-fired power stations still provide 34% of total electricity, the domestic coal industry is a shadow of its former self. Coal-fired power stations are less polluting than they once were, but still produce large amounts of greenhouse gases. However, some believe the emerging technology of "carbon capture", in which emissions are not released into the atmosphere, could see a new lease of life for coal. * Power from running water currently supplies 1.25% of the country's electricity, providing virtually emission-free power once the initial impact of building the plant has been