CHP ‘could make larger contribution to UK energy mix’

The latest UK energy statistics show that combined heat and power (CHP) generated around 6 per cent of all electricity produced for 2014, but according to CHP specialist ENER-G, it could make an even greater contribution to UK energy production.

The Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) for 2013-2014 released by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) reveal that the total number of CHP schemes increased to 2,066, with 11 per cent of systems now using renewable fuel, compared to 9.5 per cent in 2013.

During this time CHP reduced UK carbon dioxide emissions by 13m tonnes by displacing conventional fossil-fuelled energy generation. That's equivalent to the environmental benefit of removing 4.3m cars from the roads or the carbon dioxide that would be offset by a 10.7m acre forest.

According to calculations by the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE), by generating energy more efficiently, CHP saved the UK economy nearly £250m in fuel costs over the 12-month period. This saving is equivalent to the gas bills of more than 350,000 homes.

"It's good to see CHP providing a significant proportion of UK energy production, but the technology remains underexploited," said Chris Marsland (right), technical director for ENER-G Combined Power Ltd. "There are thousands more organisations that could be saving money and reducing their carbon footprint by using CHP."