With many news articles reporting on the growing use and importance of renewable energy sources in order to combat climate change, understanding exactly what renewable energy is and how it benefits the environment is key.

What is renewable energy and why is it important?

Renewable energy is a type of energy that comes from a natural source which is continuously replenished at a higher rate than it is used. Renewable energy is not finite or exhaustible unlike more traditional sources of energy. Renewable energy sources include, but are not limited to, solar power, onshore and offshore wind power, hydropower, tidal power, and green hydrogen power.

Renewable energy sources are an alternative to fossil fuels, which use oil, coal and gas. Fossil fuels are not replenishable and produce greenhouse gases, which are then dispersed into the atmosphere, and are a major contributing factor for global warming and the climate crisis.

What is an energy transition and how is the UK doing?

An energy transition refers to the structural changes countries are making as they move from using fossil fuels to generate energy, to using renewable sources. It is one of the main approaches that countries are taking to reduce the effects of climate change.

Currently, 43.1% of UK energy comes from renewable sources in 2024. The Government is aiming for energy providers to be ‘Zero Carbon’ by 2035 and for the UK to reach Net Zero by 2050. These aims are being bolstered by continuous funding for renewable energy sources, that has allowed the sector to really take off in the past few decades and to support an energy transition for the UK.

The benefits of renewable energy

Energy sources won’t run out

Renewable energy by definition will not run out. The sources of renewable energy are continuously replenished. This is in comparison to fossil fuels which are a finite source. As fossil fuels are used, the supply runs the risk of being depleted making it more costly and unsustainable.

Greater environmental benefits

Greenhouse gas emissions are consistently much lower with renewable energy than with fossil fuels. This, therefore, has a much lower effect on the environment and will slow down the rate of climate change.

Lower geopolitical reliance

One of the issues many countries face in accessing fossil fuel sources surround political instability where many sites are located. Wars and trade disputes can interrupt the supply of energy and raise prices. When using renewable energy, many countries have the ability to build their own renewable energy sites and rely on themselves for continuous access to energy.

Drawbacks of renewable energy

Weather/ seasonal dependence

Some of the renewable sources such as solar, hydro and wind depend on the intensity and reliability of the weather. This can cause issues for countries that have unpredictable weather conditions or are experiencing untypical weather problems, such as drought or high rainfall. Many countries that experience changeable weather, such as the UK, need to use a combination of various methods working together to produce a reliable source of electricity throughout the year.

High upfront costs

As the sector is still in its infancy, currently there is not the infrastructure in place in many countries to support a full energy transition and rely solely on renewable sources. All countries need to expand their renewable energy infrastructure at pace if they wish to move from fossil fuels to renewable energy. However, there are significant costs involved in setting this up. This is a problem that is affecting many countries and has been the source of delays surrounding energy transition. 

Types of renewable energy sources

There are many types of renewable energy sources that countries use to produce energy. Each method has its drawbacks, so a combination of renewable energy sources is the most sustainable way for countries to make a successful energy transition.

Hydropower – Via a dam or reservoir, a controlled flow of water can be used to drive a turbine and generate electricity. However, this method can have consequences for local wildlife and is unreliable in droughts. To counteract this issue, hydropower can be used in conjunction with other methods to generate enough energy needed.

Tidal power – Similar to hydropower, tidal power also uses water to generate electricity. This method harnesses the natural power of the tide to turn turbines and generate electricity. Whilst hydropower is on land, tidal power is in the sea, usually in an estuary or in a narrow channel between two parts of land, where there is a strong flow of water.

Solar power - Solar cells on solar panels create solar power through capturing energy from sunlight and converting it into heat, electricity and hot water. It is a relatively straightforward method for capturing energy. In sunny places, it can easily generate significant amounts of electricity. Solar power can be the main source of renewable energy for hot countries who have sunshine all year round, however, for other countries it may be used in combination with other sources to provide renewable energy.

Wind power – Wind turbines convert wind flow into electricity using a generator. It is a popular method of renewable energy in the UK due to our high winds. Wind farms are usually offshore (out at sea) or onshore (on land). Whilst offshore produces more power, it is more expensive and harder to build so both methods are used.

Geothermal – Geothermal uses heat that has been trapped under the earth’s crust which can be captured through gases and can be used to operate a turbine. Geothermal energy is not a common method because the infrastructure is costly to build.

Biomass – Recently living plants and organisms can be used as fuel to generate energy, either by burning the dead plants and organisms or by using the gas that is produced during decomposition. Whilst this process still produces carbon dioxide, it is often balanced out by living plants that consume a similar amount of carbon dioxide. This is a controversial energy source as it can have an effect on the local community and it’s exact environmental benefits have come into question.

Is nuclear energy a renewable energy source?

Nuclear energy is sometimes included as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels. Nuclear energy is considered a clean energy source as it does not produce greenhouse gases during operation. However, it is reliant on uranium to produce nuclear energy which has a finite source, while it can be recycled it is not continuously replenished, as with other renewable energy sources.

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