Renewable electricity generation increased 6.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the same time last year, producing a total of 23.22 TWh.

The government statistics show that solar PV generation increased the most (40 per cent) of all renewable sources, to 1.34 TWh. Bioenergy electricity generation also increased significantly to 8.26 TWh, up 18 per cent on the same period the year before. 

Onshore wind was the only renewable to reduce generation in Q1 2016 to 6.43 TWh, 10.5 per cent less than the previous year. But offshore wind generated 5.14 TWh, increasing 10 per cent. Hydropower generation saw a small increase, producing 2.05 TWh.

Renewables share of total generation also increased in the first quarter of this year to 25.1 per cent, which the report says “mostly reflecting increased capacity”.

The contribution of renewable electricity to the UK’s energy mix was up 29 per cent, showing significant growth from quarter 1 in 2015 when it was up 19 per cent.

The figures come after comments from Renewable UK chief executive Hugh McNeal last month calling for confidence in onshore wind investment and opportunities in renewables.