UK sixth in world for wind and solar electricity generation

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Wind and solar power accounted for 29 percent of Britain’s electricity production last year, putting the country sixth on the global league table — but well behind first-place Denmark. In the next decade, clean electricity deployment must accelerate to replace fossil fuels and meet rising demand for electricity as the world’s economy electrifies and to provide electricity access for all, the think tanks said. “However, there is still work to do for advanced economies to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2035 and play their part to avoid dangerous climate change.” He added: “In the last decade, the UK has led the way in a rapid coal phase-out," and said that as hosts of global Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow this year, the UK could steer the world away from fossil fuels and towards clean electricity.” The top 15 countries producing wind and solar power as a percentage of electricity production are: Denmark 61% Uruguay 44% Ireland 35% Germany 33% Spain 29% UK 29% Greece 27% Portugal 26% Belgium 20% Netherlands 19% Italy 17% Sweden 17% Chile 17% Australia 17% Romania 16% Meanwhile 11 per cent of US power comes from solar and wind, while in China the figure is 9 per cent The analysis warned that despite global optimism for the roll out of renewables, there is an enormous gulf in terms of the speed of deployment. “In the next decade, clean electricity deployment must accelerate to both replace fossil fuels and meet rising demand for electricity as we electrify the world’s economy and provide electricity access for all.