New data from Confused.com Energy has revealed the UK renewable energy “hotspots”.
Confused.com Energy analysed solar and wind capacity factors in each region. It also looked at capacity forecasts from 2030 to 2060 to uncover the regions with the most potential for renewable energy generation.
Scotland achieved a final renewable potential score of 7.60/10, making it the top ranked renewable energy region in the UK, the research found.
According to the data, the region has second highest onshore wind capacity factor at 37.3%. Wind power produces over 11GW in Scotland, accounting for 39% of the UK’s total capacity.
Confused.com Energy said that solar power plays a smaller role in Scotland with solar systems running at 16% of their maximum potential. In 2022, Scotland generated 113% of its electricity needs from renewables, it noted.
Earning a final score of 7.58/10, Yorkshire and the Humber rank second in the UK’s renewable energy landscape. The region records an average wind speed of 5.83 m s⁻¹, and has the fourth highest wind energy output at 32.3%, projected to peak at 56.1% in 2040.
The East of England comes in third place, with a score of 7.32/10. The data found that it has an average monthly surface solar radiation of 240.85 W/m². Its solar systems run at a capacity factor of 18.1%. According to Confused.com Energy, areas such as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire which receive around 1,638 hours of sunshine annually, are well-suited for solar energy production.
The West Midlands is the lowest ranking UK region for renewable energy potential, achieving a score of 5.89/10. The research found that with an average monthly surface solar radiation of 214.19 W/m², solar systems in the region are less productive running at a capacity factor of 16.1%. With the second lowest wind speed at just 5.55 m s⁻¹, the research found that its onshore wind systems operate at a capacity factor of just 26.8%.
Confused.com Energy said that the region is taking “proactive steps” to boost renewable energy output, as the West Midlands Combined Authority approved to invest £707m earlier this year to support the transition to net zero.
London is the second-lowest ranking region for renewable energy potential, scoring 6.31/10. The research found that the capital’s focus on utilising large rooftop spaces for commercial solar installations, 8,208 units, has yielded positive results. London’s solar systems have a capacity factor of 17.8%.