1.0 International, National and Regional
Renewable Energy sources
Outlined are the current percentages of energy sourced from renewables
in EU Member states and the current and predicted production levels
of a variety of energy sources.
1.1
| Renewable resources by EU member states | ||
| EU Member State | 1990 | 1995 |
| Austria | 22.1 | 24.3 |
| Belgium | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Denmark | 6.3 | 7.3 |
| Finland | 18.9 | 21.3 |
| France | 6.4 | 7.1 |
| Germany | 1.7 | 1.8 |
| Greece | 7.1 | 7.3 |
| Ireland | 1.6 | 2.0 |
| Italy | 5.3 | 5.5 |
| Luxembourg | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| Netherlands | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| Portugal | 17.6 | 15.7 |
| Spain | 6.7 | 5.7 |
| Sweden | 24.7 | 25.4 |
| United Kingdom | 0.5 | 0.7 |
1.2
| Renewable Energy in EU : 2010 | ||
| Type of Energy Share | Share in the EU in 1995 | Projected by 2010 |
| Wind | 2.5 GW | 40 GW |
| Hydro | 92 GW | 105 GW |
| Large | 82.5 GW | 91 GW |
| Small | 9.5 GW | 14 GW |
| Photovoltaics | 0.03 GW | 3 GW |
| Biomass | 44.8 Mtoe | 135 Mtoe |
| Geothermal | ||
| Electric | 0.5 GW | 1 GW |
| Heat | 1.3 GWTh | 5GWTh |
| Solar Thermal | ||
1.3 The North West
The level of electricity generated from renewables in the North West is shown in the table below.
| Current (MW) | Proposed (MW) | |
| Wind | 35.43 | 49.9 |
| Biofuels* | - | 20 |
| CHP^ | 59.77 | - |
| Hydro | 24.4 | - |
| Methane recovery from Landfill | 35.91 | 24.659 |
| Total | 155.51 | 94.559 |
*Short rotation coppice for wood fuelled power
^ Utilising methane recovery from sewage sludge digestion
Sources: SUSTAINABILITY NORTHWEST (Renewable Energy Discussion Paper), also: British Wind Energy Association, British Biogen, British Biogas, United Utilities.
Non renewable sources of energy
The region’s current use of non-renewable energy sources such
as coal (2000MW at Fiddlers Ferry) and nuclear (2650MW at Heysham 1and
2 and Calderhall) means that Cheshire needs to encourage a move to
renewables. In addition it should be noted that the North West is a
net importer of energy and expansion of renewables will ensure the
region becomes more self sufficient.