A doubling of the U.K.s solar PV capacity in just 12 months helped the renewable energy sector outstrip coal in the countrys power mix for the second quarter of the year, according to data published yesterday by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Solars cumulative capacity in the U.K. stood at 8 GW at the end of June, DECCs figures confirmed, reaching 3.2 TWh of total generation a 115% increase on Q2 2014.
The total share of renewable power in the countrys generation mix reached a record 25%, placing clean power second behind natural gas, which supplied 30% of power in Q2. Coal slipped to fourth on 20.5%, behind renewables for the first time ever, as coal-fired power plants were idled and phased out. Nuclear power was the third-most voluminous energy source, supplying 21.5% of the U.K.s electricity.
Solars growing role in the energy transition will have surprised few renewable advocates, many of whom have long pushed for a little more support for the technology to help it reach grid parity with fossil fuels.
However, DECC revealed over the summer that it is proposing to reduce the successful FIT for small-scale solar installations by up to 87% from January 1, 2016. This move could see the pace at which residential and commercial rooftop installations which make up a large chunk of the U.K.s solar portfolio tail off significantly.
Earlier in the year, DECC also confirmed that it will end the Renewable Obligation (RO) scheme for solar farms smaller than 5 MW a year early. The RO will no longer be available for these arrays from April 1, 2016.
DECC defends cuts
The depth of DECCs cuts have been roundly criticized, but the data published yesterday was warmly welcomed by the countrys clean energy advocates.
RenewableUKs chief executive Maria McCaffery said that the statistics show that the U.K. is "relying increasingly on dependable renewable sources to keep the country powered up", pointing to the role onshore and offshore wind has played in underpinning the sectors growth. Wind power has grown 65% in the past 12 months.
She added, however, that if ministers want to continue publishing such encouraging data, "they have to knuckle down, listen to the high level of public support we enjoy, and start making positive announcements."
That "public support" is famously thoroughly behind solar PV, with DECCs own surveys revealing that the British public favor solar over any other form of electricity generation. However, despite a concerted effort by the solar industry and its supporters to convince the government to re-think its proposals to slash subsidy, DECC responded this week to a petition stating that the new FIT levels should provide sufficient returns of "between 4% and 9%" for homeowners and businesses.
A DECC spokeswoman, in presenting the data, said: "Government support has driven down the cost of renewable energy significantly and these statistics show that has successfully enabled renewables to compete with other technologies.
"Our priority is now to move towards a low-carbon economy whilst ensuring subsidies are used where they are needed most, which provides the best value for money for hardworking bill payers."
But even beyond the solar industry, DECCs actions have caused consternation and bafflement, with Conservative London Mayor Boris Johnson critical of the FIT cut, former U.S. VP Al Gore labeling the governments stance as ‘puzzling', and the head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), John Cridland saying that the cuts send a worrying signal about the U.K. as a place for low-carbon investment."
With support for solar all-but scaled right back, it has been particularly galling for clean energy advocates in the U.K. to see energy secretary Amber Rudd confirm a £2 billion loan guarantee ($3.04 billion) for the controversial Hinkley Point nuclear power station, citing the projects "value for money".
British chancellor George Osborne also backed the move, which will see the power station be built to the tune of around £16 billion ($24.3 billion), with Frances EDF and Chinas National Nuclear Corporation frontrunners to develop the project.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.