Wind and solar power drive record year for renewable energy generation, but what about Energy from Waste and Anaerobic Digestion?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

According to data released just last week by The Energy Department, electricity generation from fossil fuels dropped to its lowest level last year; renewable energy instead delivering the highest amount of energy recorded in the UK.

This new data shows that the share of renewables in overall energy generation increased to a record 47.3%, up from 41.5% in 2022 - seemingly led by significant increases in wind and solar power generation, specifically.

What’s more, renewables reportedly also set a quarterly record of 51.5% of UK electricity generation in the final quarter of 2023 which, monumentally, marks the very first time more than half of all UK energy generation came from renewable sources.

Interestingly, however, the Energy Department does state that this is partially due to a fall in overall electricity demand and reduced domestic generation due to higher imports of electricity, Norway being among several countries to supply energy to the UK.

And, whilst this all sounds extremely exciting and promising for the renewable energy sector, one of the most interesting take homes from this data is its focus on wind and solar power being the main drivers of UK renewable energy consumption.

Yes, wind and solar power are effective and are certainly a popular topic of conversation in relation to renewables, Net Zero and a greener future, it does feel as though Energy from Waste facilities and Anaerobic Digestion plants are missing from these important conversations, and yet are vital to the UK renewable energy front.

For example, in 2022 a total of 15.32Mt of waste was combusted in UK EfWs, which made up 3.2% of net UK power generation in the same year, from upwards of 53 operational EfWs across the UK.

Alongside this, there are also approximately 650 anaerobic digestion plants in the UK that generate around 300kWh of energy per tonne of waste, depending on the feedstock available. Combined, that’s about 195000kWh of energy per tonne of waste, where 1 tonne of waste is fed into each of the UK’s 650 AD plants.

Also to consider is the local impact of EfW and AD plants; EfWs working on a local level, often as a key part of Local Authority waste management strategies, to reuse and recycle the waste of local homes and businesses into usable, valuable heat and power for their homes.

Similarly, anaerobic digestion plants often work on multiple levels for local communities, and especially farmers; providing farmers with a meaningful and efficient way of managing farm waste whilst, again, providing heat and power to local homes and businesses.

All whilst reducing reliance on landfill which, as we all know, is about to become extremely expensive here in the UK, with landfill tax set to rise by 22% by 2025, not to mention the environmental impact of landfill.

So, whilst the impact of wind and solar power on renewable energy generation is significant and, indeed, have driven record renewable statistics, other forms of renewable energy - such as Energy from Waste plants and Anaerobic Digestion plants - shouldn’t be left out of the conversation, not only because they play a part in national renewable energy generation, but also because they play a significant and positive role in local waste management in conjunction with renewable energy generation, whilst lessening reliance on landfill.