Renewable energy has been described as the 'cinderella' energy sector, left behind and neglected in comparison with the two 'ugly sisters', fossil fuel and nuclear power. This article discusses recent advances for renewable energy in the UK which amount to a new era of expansion and greater economic competitiveness and optimism, supported by government provisions subsidising the commercialisation of a number of renewable technologies. The emergence of a new dispersed and complex geography of energy production is traced, identifying problems with environmental impacts and land use planning Policy and the successes and failures of recent Policy measures.