The data reveals that UK now imports over 60 percent of the fuel it used to generate electricity in 2012, up by 12 percent since 2011. However, Good Energy’s calculations show that renewable technologies such as solar, wind and marine technologies provided over a quarter of all the UK-based power used to generate electricity in 2012.
An important part of the growth in renewables has been the impact of small generators under the Feed-in Tariff, more than 430,000 installations with a total capacity of more than 2GW. Good Energy has observed a 28 percent growth in its network of home and commercial micro-generators in the past 12 months.
“We need to get everyone involved, today; a new generation of people, business and society working together for a cleaner, more secure future” said Good Energy CEO and Founder, Juliet Davenport. “We are partnering with the Hay Festival to stimulate discussion and debate about how the arts community can help us make the cultural leap needed to tackle climate change and fill the energy gap in the future. We are really looking forward to engaging with the UK’s leading thinkers and cultural leaders in an atmosphere open to new ideas.”
The popularity of renewable energy among the UK public is increasing according to recent government figures. At least 80 percent of people support the use of renewables to provide electricity, fuel and heat with six in ten saying they would be happy to have a large scale renewable energy development in their area.
People are also concerned about the UK’s reliance on foreign fuel imports. Another recent research study revealed that many want to see a reduction in fossil fuel usage with 74 percent very or fairly concerned about climate change and 82 percent worried about dependency upon energy from other countries.
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