Renewable power generation hits record high in UK

On 26 May, solar panels in the UK produced more than a quarter of all electricity needed in the country, as windy and bright conditions helped renewable energy generation to break records.

A total of 772 single-source renewable power stations were in operation in the UK as of May 2017, up from 153 in 2007, figures released by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy showed.

Of these, around 342 were fueled by wind power, as against 72 recorded in 2007, and a further 28 were classed as offshore wind farms, which was five times more than a decade ago.

Wind power supplied the energy needs of 95 per cent of Scottish homes in May

There was not a single major plant generating purely solar power in 2007, but now, the UK has 277.

Reflecting on the figures, executive director of Renewable UK Emma Pinchbeck said that while the UK can be proud of its track record in renewable energy, future success was not guaranteed.

''This is no time to rest on our laurels,'' she said. ''There is policy and investment uncertainty beyond 2020, making it harder to build the vital new infrastructure that will underpin industrial growth and emissions reduction.''

Meanwhile, the UK government will finally unveil the delayed Clean Growth Plan in the autumn, which will outline the UK's strategy to reduce carbon emissions through the 2020s and early 2030s.

The current target calls for 30 per cent of electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2020, and according to provisional figures, the number for the first three months of 2017 was 26.6 per cent.

Also, for the first time on 7 June, wind, nuclear and solar were together generating more than gas and coal combined.

According to commentators, the falling cost of wind and solar technology made it increasingly attractive and energy firms have installed tens of thousands of solar panels in recent years.