We’re in the midst of a powerful change. The way we think about energy is shifting, and this will cascade right down into your home. Read all about it here.
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Non-renewable energy sources are finite, and it’s only a matter of time until they run out. Even the fossil-fuelled energy giants know to avoid the waiting game and are starting to expand into the renewable space.
It’s now widely recognised that the future is green. As part of the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, the UK is legally bound to reduce emissions by 80% before 2050. The EU, on the other hand, has a carbon-neutral-by-2050 target; while we’re no longer a part of the EU, the pressure’s still on.
It’s predicted that natural gas will still be used, but the energy market will be mostly made up of renewable sources. In the UK, wind farms and solar panels will be our main methods of generation, but developments in tidal power, hydro power and geothermal energy – and possibly even biofuel – will contribute in smaller amounts too.
Coal burning and oil heating will be a thing of the past, with the last few years in particular displaying that UK energy companies are reducing the amount they rely on fossil fuels for their energy mix. Head over to our guide on green energy suppliers for more information.
It’s even predicted that large-scale solar will cost less than new gas within the next few years, so cheap energy deals will be about more than just penny-pinching: you’ll be helping the planet, too.
The coming switch to renewables will also impact how we travel. The government aims to stop the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, but this transition could come even sooner. Over the last few years, predictions on how many electric vehicles will be on our roads in the future have doubled, with sales increasing year on year. So, on this trajectory, we could see electric vehicle sales overtaking petrol and diesel ones before the sale ban kicks in.
A consistent reservation around electric vehicles regards the number of available charging stations. But with purchases continuing to rise and people divesting from petrol and diesel, the demand is there: investment is being made into infrastructure with ports being installed across the country. So, we could see a boom.
As a result, how this affects your electricity bill is something to bear in mind. Electric vehicle-friendly tariffs are already on the rise and you can look out for these when you run your energy comparison.
Regarding our energy consumption, we’ve already made huge improvements. Per capita, we are all using far less electricity than we did fifteen years ago, so give yourself a well-deserved clap on the back!
New houses are built with better insulation and the use of smart technologies has not only cut our bills but reduced our overall usage. Almost all of us will now have energy-efficient appliances in our homes with eco-friendly settings.
Why has this come about? Because we now talk about our energy consumption: the conversation’s thriving and we’re changing our behaviour around it. Plus, a lot of the best energy deals going now offer rewards for reductions, too, and we all spread the word when there’s bargain to be had.
All signs point to yes. In many parts of the world, solar and wind energy are already the cheapest sources of new electricity, so with further investment this will only continue to take the market by storm.
Greater consumer personalisation plus a competitive energy market also means more tailor-made tariffs and cheap deals going. Traditional energy companies will also see a run for their money as emerging tech companies enter the space, particularly with the rise in electric vehicle use and smart tech.
To incentivise people to go green, there are certain grants and schemes available to help with energy-efficiency renovations, and reimbursements for installing solar panels. If you apply for these, you’ll certainly save money on your energy bill.
Moreover, the UK is investing heavily in wind, meaning we wouldn’t have to pay import costs.
So, what does this exciting moment of change mean for energy on our home soil? The UK currently has the highest capacity of offshore wind of any country, and that’s an accolade we’re wearing proudly. With projects and installations growing year on year, consequently there will be more jobs in this sector. And that means cheap energy – already the cost of wind energy is much lower than it used to be.
Our energy is mostly generated at the locations of various power stations around the country, but if we expand into renewables and allow smart tech to look after our supply, we’re less reliant on just a handful of energy hubs. This makes any issues easier to address.
Switching to renewables means less pollution and fewer emissions. This not only has a direct benefit to the environment but also to our public health, both physically and mentally. And because the sun keeps shining and the wind keeps blowing, renewable energy is cheap energy. Compare energy deals to see what renewable tariffs there are and reap the rewards both in your surroundings and in your wallet.