Commenting on the latest UK energy statistics from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Friends of the Earth Energy Campaigner Guy Shrubsole said:

“Renewable power already supplies a significant amount of our electricity needs. With proper Government backing, it could deliver far more.

“Gas-powered electricity has fallen because of high prices, and with further hikes predicted, it makes a mockery of George Osborne’s reckless dash for gas.

“The coalition must rethink its short-sighted, gas-driven energy plans, switch to renewables and give us a power system we can all afford.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1.    DECC, Quarterly Energy Stats: Of electricity generated in the third quarter of 2012, gas accounted for 28.2 per cent (it’s lowest third quarter share for 14 years) due to high prices, whilst coal accounted for 35.4 per cent (it’s highest third quarter share for 14 years). Nuclear generation accounted for 22.3 per cent, whilst renewables share of electricity generation increased by 2.6 percentage points to 11.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2012. Overall low carbon fuels accounted for a record share of 34.0 per cent of generation. Offshore wind increased by 54 per cent, with onshore wind up by 38 per cent due to increased capacity.