The Government’s quarterly Energy Trends publication reveals a record contribution from bioenergy for keeping the lights on and transport moving at the same time as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In the second quarter of 2014, bioenergy accounted for a record 5.6TWh (7%) of electricity generation. This is an increase of 8.8% compared with a year earlier, due mainly to the conversions at Drax and Ironbridge, which have started burning sustainable biomass fuel instead of coal.
REA Chief Executive Dr Nina Skorupska said: “Today’s figures highlight the vital role of biomass in the UK electricity mix. With wind speeds below average, wind generation has actually decreased, so it’s vital that we get more flexible biomass generation into our low carbon power supply as well as more wind.