Renewable energy accounted for 11.3 per cent of total UK electricity generation, up from 9.4 per cent in 2011. Total renewables, as measured by the 2009 EU Renewables Directive, accounted for 4.1 per cent of energy consumption in 2012, up from 3.8 per cent in 2011.
On the basis of the policy measurement of the contribution of renewables eligible under the Renewables Obligation to UK electricity sales, 2012 showed a 1.2 percentage point increase, with the percentage increasing from 9.4 per cent in 2011 to reach 10.6 per cent in 2012. Installed electrical generating capacity of renewable sources rose by 27 per cent in 2012, mainly as a result of a 27 per cent increase in onshore wind capacity, 63 per cent increase in offshore wind capacity, and solar photovoltaic capacity increasing by 71 per cent (due to high uptake of Feed in Tariffs).
UK primary energy consumption in 2012 increased by 2.1 per cent, largely due to the colder weather in 2012. However, on a temperature adjusted basis, consumption was down 0.6 per cent continuing the downward trend of the last seven years.
The figures came from the Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2013, a summary of four key publications published by the department: the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 2013, UK Energy in Brief, Energy Flow Chart, and Energy Consumption in the United Kingdom, providing analysis of production, transformation and consumption of energy in 2012. The Digest is available online here.