Ørsted, Equinor & SSE: Green Power Surges Ahead in the UK
As the world moves towards cleaner energy, the UK is leading the charge by preparing to mark its first full year where low-carbon renewable power exceeds fossil fuel consumption.
According to the latest findings from the think tank Ember, 2024 is anticipated to be the year wherein renewables will overtake fossil fuels as the primary source of energy in the country.
Transitioning to low-carbon sources
In an impressive leap towards sustainability, renewables — excluding biomass, which is not classified as a low-carbon source by Ember — are transforming the energy landscape.
This shift initially began in 2020 when renewables overtook fossil fuels in the energy mix. However, new developments have set the stage for renewables to dominate purely as low-carbon sources from 2024.
This significant change is driven by the phase-out of coal power which took a momentous step in October 2024, paving the way for wind, solar photovoltaic power and hydropower to become the primary energy providers.
Additionally, gas usage is also decreasing, recording its third substantial drop in over a decade, replaced by a mix of electricity imports and clean energy sources.
“The renewables future is here,” says Frankie Mayo, Senior Energy and Climate Analyst at Ember.
“This long-awaited milestone is a testament to how much progress the UK has made.
“It’s time to seize the moment, to cut reliance on expensive gas with new renewables, storage, and grid upgrades.
“With the phase-out of coal power completed this year, reducing gas use is the next big opportunity for the country.”
The UK's renewable energy composition
Ember’s analysis for 2024 shows an interesting composition of the UK’s renewable energy sources.
Wind energy leads with a substantial 29.3% of the total power generation, followed by solar power at 5.3% and hydropower at 1.9%.
Bioenergy holds a significant share of 14.2%, slightly lower than nuclear power, which accounts for 14.7%.Renowned for its significant capacity, Ørsted's Hornsea 2 in the North Sea is the UK's largest wind farm.
This facility, equipped with 165 Siemens Gamesa 8MW turbines, each capable of powering a home for 24 hours on a single rotation, strongly contributes to the national grid.
The turbines’ impressive size, with blades extending 18m and tips soaring over 200m above sea level, underline the grand scale at which renewable infrastructures are being developed.
The wind farm entered full operation in 2022 and helps to power more than 1.4 million UK homes.
When the farm began full operation, Duncan Clark, Head of Region UK at Ørsted, said: "The UK is truly a world leader in offshore wind and the completion of Hornsea 2 is a tremendous milestone for the offshore wind industry, not just in the UK but globally.
“Current global events highlight more than ever the importance of landmark renewable energy projects like Hornsea 2, helping the UK increase the security and resilience of its energy supply and drive down costs for consumers by reducing dependence on expensive fossil fuels.”
The renewable projects propelling the UK's energy future
Looking beyond current achievements, the UK’s energy landscape is poised for further transformation.
Following the closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power plant in Nottinghamshire, coal will no longer make up any of the UK's electricity mix. The focus now shifts firmly to other massive projects like the Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
Spearheaded by SSE Renewables and upon completion operated by Equinor, Dogger Bank will become the world’s largest offshore wind farm on completion.
Made up of GE Vernova Haliade-X turbines, each capable of powering a home for two days with a single turn, Dogger Bank represents a monumental leap in renewable energy capacity.
Halfdan Brustad, Equinor’s VP UK Renewables, says: “Following first power, Dogger Bank, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, is a key example of what the offshore wind industry can offer, from security of electricity supply to economic growth and long-term jobs.”
Meanwhile, the UK government has also approved the construction of three new solar farms across the East of England. This development is anticipated to substantially bolster the national grid and aid the UK in meeting its ambitious 2050 net zero goal.
Make sure you check out the latest industry news and insights at ClimateTech Digital and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today. Subscribe to the ClimateTech Digital newsletter.
ClimateTech Digital is a BizClik brand