How much can onshore wind contribute to the UK’s renewable energy targets?
The UK government has adopted an EU-wide target for renewable energy, according to which, the share of energy from renewables will have to reach 15 per cent by 2020. Actions to achieve the EU renewable target will also contribute towards meeting the UK national greenhouse gas emission targets, which require emissions to be reduced of at least 34 per cent by 2020, 50 per cent by 2025, 57% by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050, compared with 1990 levels.
Renewables provided about 7 per cent of the UK energy needs (which include both electricity and heating) in 2014. Through electricity generation, onshore wind contributed to about 1.2 per cent of total energy production in the same year, and is expected to provide up to 2 per cent of energy by 2020.
