5 January

Biomass-fired power production in the UK increased last year, along with the fuel’s share in the nation’s electricity mix. This comes despite an overall drop in power prices and total grid demand, according to data from utility Drax and Imperial College London. Biomass power output rose by 8.3% in 2020, reaching 19.45TWh. This compares with 17.96TWh in the previous year. UK power prices rebounded in Q3 and Q4, after demand declined following the imposition of pandemic-related lockdowns.

Renewable energy supplied 50% of electricity used by Germany’s national grid during the coronavirus pandemic. Analysis by Berlin-based think tank Agora Energiewende says this enabled the country to achieve its 2020 climate targets. Carbon emissions from Germany stood at 772Mt in 2020, 82Mt lower than that of previous year. This is the equivalent of a 10% drop in emissions. The analysis says the country would have reduced its emissions by 38% if the Covid-19 pandemic had not occurred.

Four renewable power plants in Peru commenced commercial operations last year, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. The four plants include two wind farms, one hydroelectric plant and a biomass thermal plant. The total installed capacity of the four plants is 58MW, with a total construction investment of $98m.