The way we think about energy is changing, and with renewables in pole position in the drive to make the UK Carbon neutral by 2050, its popularity is growing around the world.

    Clean, sustainable energy like Solar, Hydro, Wind and Geothermal Power, is helping to tackle the current World energy crisis, reducing the impact on our climate and our carbon footprint in the search to keep the lights on. 

    To highlight the immense potential of renewable energy, we’ve come up with 15 facts about the development and the rise of a more sustainable energy future.

1.   Switching to wind, water and solar could eliminate 4 to 7 million deaths from air pollution every year.

A shocking statistic; studies estimate that around 7 million have died prematurely through indoor and outdoor pollution. The WHO class have estimated the direct result of air pollution as lower, yet it doesn’t take into account those with multiple risk factors, such as those suffering from Lung Cancer. 

2.   A world record was set in 1990 when a solar-powered aeroplane flew across the United States in stages, using no fuel at all.

 Aptly named “The Sunseeker”, this plane flew across America in 21 stages, totalling 121 hours in the air.

3.   Renewable energy creates more jobs for women. 

A recent report shows that women hold 32% of renewables jobs, compared to just 21% in fossil fuel roles. The Irena report states; “gender equality…is also essential to shaping positive social and economic development outcomes. Women provide valuable perspectives on key decisions, from investment priorities to project design,”

4.   Costa Rica is a world leader in renewable energy

In 2017, this small Central American nation lasted 300 consecutive days on renewable energy alone. The previous record was in 2015, when Costa Rica lasted 299 consecutive days. With an estimated population of 5.05 million, 100% of homes have access to renewable electricity.

5.   China built  100GW-worth of wind farms in 2020

More than the rest of the world combined in 2019, this massive scale wind farm could generate enough power for almost 3 times the number of homes in the UK; to put it in perspective, the average household uses 8/10kwh a day. This wind farm produces 100 million kw.

6.   One hour of the sun's energy could supply enough electricity for a year

Taken from the Columbia Climate School, the immense potential for energy to be harvested from a completely natural resource, is ripe for development to meet our future energy needs.

7.   Solar energy users save up to 35 tons of C02 and 75 million barrels of oil each year.

Solar energy is one of the cleanest and most sustainable sources of renewable energy, with enough versatility to be used for a variety of buildings, vehicles or machines

8.   Homeowners experience “break-even” on their solar panel installation in under a decade.

Whilst this figure differs depending on where you live, the average break even point is roughly a decade. And with solar panels guaranteed for at least  25 years with 80% output, you could be looking at long term savings for many years to come.

9.   Coal only generates 29% of its original value in energy. But wind power generates 1,164% of its original value.

As there is no need to constantly drill, or mine to source the energy, it is a much more efficient way of producing energy. Once a renewable energy plant or farm is established, it can efficiently generate energy for decades with only minimal maintenance.

10.   Wind energy is the largest source of renewable power in the UK

With almost 11,000 turbines on and offshore, they generate nearly 66 million MWh of electricity a year, to the equivalent of 18 million homes.

11.   Renewable energy currently creates 5 times more jobs  than fossil fuels.

From 2004, the number of renewable energy jobs grew from 1.7 million to 11.5 million in 2019. Solar Pv accounted for 33% of the world’s  renewable energy workforce in 2019. Asia accounted for 63% of total jobs in renewables.

12.   Iceland is the only country in the world where renewable sources generate 100% of both its electricity and heat. 

A volcanic country, Iceland uses its natural resources well. 13% of its electricity comes from Geothermal power. 87% of its power is generated by hydro-power. And a whopping 100% of its heating and water is obtained by Geothermal sources.

13.   Renewable energy is nothing new

The use of renewable energy in Europe can be traced back almost 2000 years with the invention of the waterwheel. Its basic design would eventually evolve into the Hydro plants we know today. Solar power is much younger, having been invented in 1839; Queen Victoria was twenty.

14.   Let’s not get political!

We don’t like to get political, but…currently fossil fuels receive the biggest subsidies from Governments compared to renewable energy resources. The US is the largest contributor to the tune of $5.9 trillion in 2020; that’s roughly $11million a minute. 

15.   Over 100 cities rely on renewable energy

    Out of 620 cities, over 100 rely on renewable energy to generate 70% of their power. More are expected to follow in the coming years, as the detrimental impacts of fossil fuels on our planet has become ever more apparent.

Better for our health, economy, and most importantly our planet, renewable energy really is a no-brainer as we move further into the 21st Century. Fossil fuels may have once been an easy, cheap source of energy, yet their slow depletion and the impact on our climate has demonstrated they are no longer fit for purpose, meaning the time has come to switch to green energy for a cleaner, brighter future.