Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural resources or processes that are constantly replenished and do not run out. These resources include sunlight, wind, the movement of water, geothermal heat, biomass, and biofuels.
Renewable energy is often referred to as clean energy because it does not produce harmful pollutants or greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, heating and cooling, transportation, and other applications. Non-renewable energy, on the other hand, comes from finite sources that could get used up, such as fossil fuels like coal and oil.
From 2011 to 2021, renewable energy grew from 20% to 28% of global electricity supply. Use of fossil energy shrank from 68% to 62%, and nuclear from 12% to 10%. The share of hydropower decreased from 16% to 15% while power from sun and wind increased from 2% to 10%. Biomass and geothermal energy grew from 2% to 3%.
Many nations around the world already have renewable energy contributing more than 20% of their total energy supply, with some generating over half their electricity from renewables.[17] A few countries generate all their electricity using renewable energy.[18] National renewable energy markets are projected to continue to grow strongly in the 2020s and beyond.
Renewable energy has numerous benefits over traditional energy sources for the UK, including environmental, economic, and social advantages. Here are some of the benefits of renewable energy in the UK:
Environmental Benefits:
Reduces pollution – Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal power do not produce greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution, which helps to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint.
Improved public health – The reduction in air pollution from using renewable energy sources can lead to improved public health outcomes.
Sustainability – Renewable energy sources are sustainable and will not run out, unlike fossil fuels.
Energy security – Renewable energy sources are domestically sourced and do not rely on foreign imports, which can help increase energy security.
Safety – Renewable energy sources do not require the extraction and transportation of finite resources, which can cause environmental damage.
Economic Benefits:
Job creation – Renewable energy can create new job opportunities, particularly in rural areas, and can reduce poverty. The industry creates jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
Cost effective – While there may be higher upfront costs, renewable energy can help to drive technological innovation, save money in the long run due to lower operational costs and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Reliability – Renewable energy can reduce the UK’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, which can be subject to price volatility. It is becoming increasingly reliable and can provide a consistent source of energy.
Diversification – Using renewable energy sources can diversify the energy mix and reduce dependence on a single source of energy.
Social Benefits:
Energy security- Renewable energy can provide energy security and independence, particularly for countries that lack direct access to fossil fuels.
Improved health – Renewable energy can improve the health and well-being of communities by reducing air pollution.
In 2022 the International Energy Agency asked countries to solve policy, regulatory, permitting and financing obstacles to adding more renewables, to have a better chance of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
In summary, renewable energy is energy from natural resources or processes that are constantly replenished and do not run out. It is often referred to as clean energy because it does not produce harmful pollutants or greenhouse gases. Renewable energy can be used for various applications, and it has numerous benefits for the economy, environment, and human health.
What does renewable energy mean?
Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural resources or processes that are constantly replenished and do not run out. These resources include sunlight, wind, the movement of water, geothermal heat, biomass, and biofuels.
Renewable energy is often referred to as clean energy because it does not produce harmful pollutants or greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, heating and cooling, transportation, and other applications. Non-renewable energy, on the other hand, comes from finite sources that could get used up, such as fossil fuels like coal and oil.
From 2011 to 2021, renewable energy grew from 20% to 28% of global electricity supply. Use of fossil energy shrank from 68% to 62%, and nuclear from 12% to 10%. The share of hydropower decreased from 16% to 15% while power from sun and wind increased from 2% to 10%. Biomass and geothermal energy grew from 2% to 3%.
Many nations around the world already have renewable energy contributing more than 20% of their total energy supply, with some generating over half their electricity from renewables.[17] A few countries generate all their electricity using renewable energy.[18] National renewable energy markets are projected to continue to grow strongly in the 2020s and beyond.
Renewable energy has numerous benefits over traditional energy sources for the UK, including environmental, economic, and social advantages. Here are some of the benefits of renewable energy in the UK:
Environmental Benefits:
Reduces pollution – Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal power do not produce greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution, which helps to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint.
Improved public health – The reduction in air pollution from using renewable energy sources can lead to improved public health outcomes.
Sustainability – Renewable energy sources are sustainable and will not run out, unlike fossil fuels.
Energy security – Renewable energy sources are domestically sourced and do not rely on foreign imports, which can help increase energy security.
Safety – Renewable energy sources do not require the extraction and transportation of finite resources, which can cause environmental damage.
Economic Benefits:
Job creation – Renewable energy can create new job opportunities, particularly in rural areas, and can reduce poverty. The industry creates jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
Cost effective – While there may be higher upfront costs, renewable energy can help to drive technological innovation, save money in the long run due to lower operational costs and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Reliability – Renewable energy can reduce the UK’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, which can be subject to price volatility. It is becoming increasingly reliable and can provide a consistent source of energy.
Diversification – Using renewable energy sources can diversify the energy mix and reduce dependence on a single source of energy.
Social Benefits:
Energy security- Renewable energy can provide energy security and independence, particularly for countries that lack direct access to fossil fuels.
Improved health – Renewable energy can improve the health and well-being of communities by reducing air pollution.
In 2022 the International Energy Agency asked countries to solve policy, regulatory, permitting and financing obstacles to adding more renewables, to have a better chance of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
In summary, renewable energy is energy from natural resources or processes that are constantly replenished and do not run out. It is often referred to as clean energy because it does not produce harmful pollutants or greenhouse gases. Renewable energy can be used for various applications, and it has numerous benefits for the economy, environment, and human health.