News to lighten the mood and brighten the day seems rare to find these days. But here’s some, writes Martin Bell.

An online webinar about the UK fuel market mix revealed some very positive figures regarding the market share growth of renewable energy.

In short, it’s going up – and up.

Our energy market has seen a big decline in the use of gas which has dropped to just over 30 per cent of the market, down from 47 per cent.

But the greatest, and best news, is that coal, which had the second largest portion of the energy pie in 2010 at 28 per cent has dropped to an amazing 3.5 per cent.

In fact, for 67 days of 2020 coal was not used at all to add supply to the National Grid.

Other great news is that oil has almost dropped out of use completely at 0.20%.

Interestingly imports have risen from 0.7 per cent to 6.75 per cent.

They will increase sharply once the high voltage cable connection from Bicker Fen in Lincolnshire to Revsing, South Jutland, in Demark is complete.

Due in 2023, the £1.8bn, 475 mile Viking Link cable is expected to power one and a half million UK homes.

Nuclear has remained stable at just over 15 per cent.

Bioenergy has leapt from 3 per cent to almost 10 per cent.

The only renewable that has not shown as much growth as would have been expected, considering the fantastic leaps in wind and solar, is the hydro energy sector.

This is, in part, to do with high taxation with hydro energy four times that of other renewable energies.

Calls have been made for Chancellor Rishi Sunak to ease the tax and bring it into line with the rest of the renewable energy sector suppliers.

The renewable energy market now has 47 per cent share of the market from a meagre 7.99 per cent in 2010.

We still have a way to go to reach the 2050 target of complete net-zero using only 100 per cent renewable energy sources but the National Grid is confident that we can achieve this 13 years ahead of schedule by 2037.

The UK energy market is almost unrecognisable from ten years ago.

The regulations set in place has given consultancies such as Utilities4Less a better platform to serve the business community in an ethical and responsible manner.

By setting smaller achievable targets we can make a difference.

Utilities4Less’ campaign is for Dorset to become the first county in Britain where the business community use 100 per cent renewable energy provided by British sources, further stimulating the green economy.

Of course, our vision to make the world a greener place to live in – and for future generations to not have to suffer our shortfalls – is not something that we can do alone.

The only way we can achieve this is if everyone takes responsibility for their businesses carbon output.

We’re not suggesting that businesses owners do it alone but engaging and supporting each other we can make a difference.

Making small but decisive changes can make a long term difference and if we work together, we can make a massive difference.

A recent survey by Dorset Chamber member Nikki Maidment of Ethicly, shows that we all think that we should do more to save the environment.

At the time of discussing, or being questioned about the environment, we have motivation and conviction.

But then, understandably, our lives take over and saving the environment takes a back seat or is even banished to the boot.

Here at Utilities4Less we want to simplify the process of dealing with utility and energy management and minimise the impact on your business.

That’s why we are also putting our money where our mouth is and making an offer to Dorset businesses changing their supply to 100 per cent renewable energy from solar, wind and hydro sources.

Utilities4Less will provide a FREE monitoring and automation device reporting real time data.

It will allow business owners and managers to take control of their energy usage and, most importantly, stop unnecessary energy waste.

To save energy, save money and save the planet, please contact me at martin@u4luk.com

Or go to www.u4luk.com