A total of 4.2 per cent of the UK’s power needs came from renewable sources in 2012, ahead of only Malta (1.4 per cent) and Luxembourg (3.1 per cent).
While this figure represents a more than three-fold growth since 2004, when only 1.2 per cent came from renewable sources, the UK is still a long way short of its 2020 renewable generation target of 15 per cent.
At a European level, a total of 14.1 per cent of consumption is met by energy generated from renewable sources, and the continent looks on course to hit its 2020 target of 20 per cent.
Bulgaria, Estonia and Sweden have already met their 2020 renewable energy targets, of 16 per cent, 25 per cent and 49 per cent respectively, with the former reaching its target in 2011, and the latter two in 2012.
Renewable UK’s deputy chief executive Maf Smith said as long as the government “remains supportive” on the deployment of renewable energy the UK could hit its 15 per cent target.
“Right now we’re on track to more than treble the amount of offshore wind capacity we have installed by 2020 to at least 12GW, so wind energy will be one of the game-changers in helping us to meet our targets.”
He added: “The fact that the UK has one of the lowest percentages of energy coming from renewable sources ought to give pause to those who say it’s renewables which are making our economy uncompetitive.
“These latest European figures show that many countries manage to meet significant amounts of their energy needs from renewable sources while remaining competitive. As could we.”