Displaying items by tag: solar power

Wind turbines have generated more electricity than gas for the first time in the UK. Imperial College London’s research revealed that 1/3 of UK electricity came from wind farms in the first three months of 2023. National Grid also confirmed that April saw a record period of solar energy generation. By 2035 the UK aims for all electricity to have net zero emissions. There are still many hurdles to reaching a completely fossil fuel-free grid, but wind out-supplying gas for the first time is a genuine milestone event. The majority of the UK's wind power comes from offshore wind farms. Installing new onshore wind turbines has effectively been banned since 2015. Under current planning rules, companies can only apply to build onshore wind turbines on land specifically identified for development in the land-use plans drawn up by local councils.

With limited space and a lack of options for hydro-electricity and wind power, Singapore faces logistical challenges in the push towards renewable energy. Environmental advocacy groups have long accused the country of failing to do enough to address climate change, even as rising sea levels have become a growing threat. Climate Action Tracker said Singapore’s efforts to combat climate change have been weak. It is now investing in a huge floating solar farm at sea. Oceans are the ‘new frontier’ in electricity production, says Shawn Tan, the firm carrying out the project. The solar farm has 13,000 solar panels laid out at sea between Singapore and Malaysia, capable of producing up to five megawatts of electricity - enough energy to power 1,400 residential flats year-round. Meanwhile, Pentagon scientists are currently testing solar satellites to beam energy to anywhere on Earth.