For the first time since the UK’s first power plant opened in 1882, renewable energy sources have provided more electricity to UK homes and businesses than fossil fuels. This was recorded over the last quarter where the renewable electricity mix rose to 40%, new data shows.
Predictions were made by the National Grid that 2019 would be the first year since the industrial revolution that zero-carbon electricity would overtake gas and coal-fired power. This is a crucial tipping point in Britain’s energy transition.
The UK’s current leading source of renewable electricity is wind and makes up roughly 20%, with solar contributing to 6%.
The growth in the renewable industry is good news for energy bills, according to Renewable UK, not just the environment.
“The cost of new offshore wind projects, for example, has just fallen to an all-time low, making onshore and offshore wind our lowest-cost large scale power sources”
Next generation offshore wind farms are expected to cost around £40 for every megawatt hour of electricity generated - this is less than the average market price for electricity on the wholesale energy markets.
What Does This Mean For Heat Pumps?
Not only is the renewable energy market growing, the heat pump market is growing too. With renewable energy becoming more prominent, and also more cost effective for the consumer, heat pumps are becoming more efficient and even cheaper to run then the fossil fuel alternatives. Heat pumps run off of electricity, and for every 1kW of electricity you use, you can get up between 3 and 4kW of useful heat energy out.
Contact Alto Energy if you have a project and would like to start benefiting from heat pumps and their low running costs today.