THROW-AWAY COMMENT ON FACTUAL HIERARCHY OF U K ENERGY IN 2005

In 2005, 84% of the UK’s total indigenous energy production came from primary oils and natural gas, 9.5% from nuclear, 0.5% from hydro and other non-thermal renewables, 6% from coal and 2% from ‘renewable and waste’. ‘Renewables and waste’ include geothermal, biofuels, waste and solar heat energy.

Of the total ‘renewables and waste’ category biofuels (90%), while around 10% came from waste products (including non-biodegradable parts of municipal solid waste, waste tyres, hospital waste, and general industrial waste) (DTI[b]).

The Government Waste Strategy 2007 has foreseen potential for waste to generate electrical energy, but this form of energy production has increased in importance through recognition that it can reduce CO and CO2 emissions; vastly reduce the need for waste landfills; and contribute to higher levels of discriminatory waste management, waste recycling in particular.

In 2005 76% of total electricity produced from renewable sources came from biofuels (landfill gas, sewage sludge digestion, municipal solid waste combustion, co-firing with fossil fuels and other biofuels) and 11% came from hydro power. The remaining 13% of electricity production from renewables is made up of 7% from wastes and 6% from wind and wave.  Thus, 7% of 2% of total indigenous UK energy production in 2005 came from burning waste, some O.14%, or thereabouts.

. The E U Directive as revised (2008/98/EC) states:     “Article 4

Waste hierarchy
1. The following waste hierarchy shall apply as a priority order in waste prevention and management legislation and policy:
   (a) prevention;
   (b) preparing for re-use;
   (c) recycling;
   (d) other recovery, e.g. energy recovery (Our emphasis and underline); and
   (e) disposal.” (Landfill or Export)

Electricity from waste cannot provide for the UK’s current energy demand, but should the use of waste as an energy resource be ignored by those who seek to protect our environment, our economy and our health.  Principles of hygiene lead one usually to err on the safe side.

Source: RICS UK Energy Fact Sheet; EU Directives; DTI.  RICS Information Paper