Renewable energy technologies will play a critical role in weaning the UK off its reliance on imported foreign fuel, according to energy supplier Good Energy.
Data published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that the UK imported over 61.2% of the fuel used to generate electricity in 2012 – a rise of 12% from the previous year.
The company highlights the rapid growth of UK renewables as the answer to filling this gap, with electricity generated from renewables accounting for over a quarter of all UK-based power used to generate electricity in 2012. In 2013, British renewable power is estimated to have accounted for almost 15% of the electricity the UK generated – a 30% rise from the previous year.
Juliet Davenport, CEO and founder of Good Energy, explained that the British public hold the key to increasing our home-grown energy output. She said: “At Good Energy we are working towards a future free from fossil fuels. We need to get everyone involved, today; a new generation of people, business and society working together for a cleaner, more secure future.”
As part of the company’s call to action, Good Energy is encouraging people to consider generating their own electricity. The energy supplier has seen a 28% growth in its network of domestic micro-generators claiming the feed-in tariff over the last year. Davenport added: “By choosing how your electricity is sourced you really can make a difference by creating demand for more renewable power. Our Feed-in Tariff community who make their own electricity can benefit from cheaper bills and avoid being entirely reliant on the big utilities.”
The energy supplier notes that there is strong support for the mass adoption of renewables in the UK, with 80% of the British public saying that they are in favour of using renewable energy to meet the UK’s electricity, fuel and heat demands.