British-based renewable energy sources have overtaken gas as the primary generator of electricity so far this winter, according to new analysis.
Since the start of October, domestic wind, hydro and solar together produced 34TWh (terawatt hours), 2TWh more than the 32 generated by gas.
The conclusion counters claims that the transition to clean power in order to meet climate targets is to blame for current energy security problems.
In fact the analysis finds that domestic renewables have, in just over three months, displaced 16% of the UK’s entire annual gas imports.
The energy sector defines winter as the six month period of October to the end of March.
Adding renewable power to the grid reduces the amount of gas needed for power generation, freeing it up for thing like heating homes instead, the energy and climate think tank ECIU said.
It also allows Britain to become a net exporter of electricity when demand is high and the UK has a power surplus, it added.
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But it warned that as the UK relies on gas for around 40% of power generation and some 85% of home heating, it is more dependent on the fossil fuel than any other country in Europe.
Jess Ralston, head of energy at ECIU, said: “Wind has chosen a good year to overtake gas given how expensive gas has become and questions around its security of supply.
“As the wind industry expands alongside the rapid growth of battery storage, ever more of the electricity we use is homegrown but also plentiful enough to export.”
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But the analysis warned that demand for electricity will soar in the coming years. While major new wind farms in the pipeline will help meet the increased demand, many in the energy industry are warning that the grid infrastructure needs a major update in order to keep up.
“Speeding up investment in our power grid will enable more of this cheap, natural energy to flow to homes, so bringing down bills,” added Ms Ralston.
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