UK green energy is thriving, says Ed Davey

Last year has been called one of the most successful in Britain in terms of green energy. Ed Davey, energy and climate change secretary, said that the drive to develop renewable energy generation during 2012 has significantly helped towards the UK reaching its energy goals.

Speaking at the RenewableUK conference in Birmingham, Mr Davey said that green energy had seen a 56 per cent increase in generation during 2012 as a result of investment from the private sector. With more money being fed into renewables since 2010 - so far totalling around £31 billion in private investment - the growth of generation has been incredibly positive.

In terms of different green energy sectors, improvements in generation capacity have been seen across the board. Solar photovoltaic panel generation has increased by 22 per cent, offshore wind energy has increased by 51 per cent and bioenergy has risen by 58 per cent. However the most positive growth has been seen within the onshore wind sector, which experienced a 70 per cent increase in generation, described by Mr Davey as "breath-taking".

The number of projects has not only increased through investment, but the amount of Britain's energy as a whole coming from renewable sources has also seen a rise. According to Mr Davey, more than 15 per cent of the UK's energy was generated from renewable sources as of the second quarter of the year. 

This spells good things for the country's 2020 targets, which aim to have at least 30 per cent of Britain's energy supplied by renewables. According to the energy secretary, this suggests the UK may exceed these targets.

Mr Davey said: "As a country we have a huge amount to gain from leading the global clean, green energy revolution. This course we have set ourselves on is win, win, win, win, win - good for jobs, good for the economy, good for energy security, good for bill-payers, and good for the environment too. But we will only realise this future if we stick to the long-term path we have set ourselves."