I thought we’d take a look at The Rise of Renewable Energy around the Globe and show you what other countries are doing to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels and to clean up the environment that decades of dirty energy use has done to our planet.
We hear a great deal about the World beating British renewable sector and with over 1,000,000 solar homes as well as producing over 1/3 of all our energy from solar and other renewables we have every right to be proud.
But what about the rest of the World?
China is the world’s leading country in electricity production from renewable energy sources, with over double the generation of the second-ranking country, the United States. By the end of 2019, China had a total capacity of 790GW of renewable power, mainly from hydroelectric, solar and wind power. 65% of China’s energy still comes from coal, and just like the United Kingdom has gone from 41% coal in 2012 to around 2% last year, it will not be long before the Chinese reverse their current stance and join the rest of us by phasing out coal altogether.
They have to.
India has in recent years developed long term renewable policies to match its ambition. From solar powered trains, to solar covered canals that not only generate energy but reduce the evaporation of the canals and provide much needed shade for those who live by them and rely on them for trade and transportation.
Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Norway, Tajikistan and Uruguay are countries currently generating greater than 90% of the electricity they use from renewable energy sources. Some of these countries are working towards running their electric networks entirely from renewable energy.
Fluctuating Oil prices in the 1970’s meant Iceland couldn’t keep their small economy stable whilst depending on oil, so took another direction. They tapped into an abundant energy source, totally renewable and created the worlds first 100% renewable County. The financial crash of 2008 quickened that process.
Iceland gets 75% of the electricity from hydropower and 25% from geothermal. The country then takes advantage of its volcanic activity to access geothermal energy, with 87% of its hot water and heating coming from this source.
Thanks to its unique geography and commitment to the environment, the small Island of Costa Rica has produced 95% of its electricity from hydro, geothermal, solar and wind over the past four years. It aims to be entirely carbon-neutral by the end of this year!
Scotland self-generated 98% of its energy needs last year and is building the world’s largest floating off shore wind farm which I am confident will be celebrated at the Climate Conference, or COP26, in Glasgow later this year.
Right here on our doorstep, at Raynham we have one of the largest solar farms in Europe, plans in place for a floating solar farm on a reservoir in Lincolnshire, stunning wind power generating off of the Coast and we have streets in Towns and Villages with their roofs adorned with beautiful solar panels, generating clean, green energy.
Right down to the tourist sector, I know personally over 30 local camping, glamping and holiday lets, totally off the grid and offering a total eco experience for a holiday. Right here in Norfolk!
And whilst I see a bright future ahead (if you lived with renewables for the last two decades, you would as well, regardless of what’s going on around us) there is still much more to do and that starts at home.
So, whilst the Arctic Circle burns, heat domes like never before erupt over the US West Coast, Europe and Australia creating weather bombs and extremes like never before, know this.
We have the solutions and they’re blowing in the wind, rising with the sun and moving with the tides.
And where better than a windswept rock in the North Atlantic to capture what Mother Nature throws at us in abundance.
The future is bright. The future is green. And for over 1,000,000 British homeowners, the future is Now!