Understanding energy
Energy is the driving force behind everything we do
POWER
KILOWATT (KW)
ENERGY
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KILOWATT HOUR (KWH)
One of the key units of energy is the kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is the amount of energy consumed when a 1-kilowatt device runs for an hour. For instance, if a 1500-watt kettle runs for 15 minutes, it uses 0.375 kWh of energy.
Average household energy usage
Energy produced at home or in commercial settings can be sold back to the grid, helping to balance supply and demand, and potentially earning the producer some income.
The switch to
renewable energy
Renewable energy comes from sources that are naturally replenished, such as sunlight, wind, and water. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and contribute to climate change, renewable energy sources are clean and unlimited.
For example – we will eventually run out of gas, coal, or oil, as there is only a limited amount of it on earth. On the other hand, sunlight is renewed each day, and the tides come and go regularly. This means that energy sources like this are constantly replenished.
Why should we care?
- By harnessing renewable energy, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- Burning fuels produces air pollution that has a huge impact on people’s health, reducing costs associated with healthcare and improving people’s wellbeing.
- Renewable energy has the potential to reduce costs and increase stability in the future. As technology advances and economies of scale are achieved, the cost of renewable energy continues to fall.
- The renewable energy sector is also a leading driver for new jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and research. Producing energy more locally also means that jobs are more evenly distributed across the countryside, bringing much-needed jobs to rural areas.
Renewable energy questions
How is energy measured?
What’s the difference between renewable energy and fossil fuels?
Understanding energy and the role of renewable resources is crucial in today’s world. The Welsh Government is aiming for all our energy needs to be met by renewable energy by 2035. Find out more about renewable energy technologies.
Is renewable energy more expensive?
The UN now states that renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy globally, with investment in renewable saving $55,000,000 globally in energy costs. It was reported in 2024 that investment in solar energy in Spain has reduced their energy costs to €2/MWh, around 1/30th of what we currently pay in Wales (March 2024).
In the United Kingdom, the way that the wholesale energy market works is based around marginal pricing – meaning that the cost of all electricity is determined by the cost of the most expensive generation needed to meet demand at any given time. This is usually set by gas or oil, even on days with ample renewable energy generation, meaning that the consumer pays more.
