Vocabulary · Society and the planet
Renewable energy in English
B1
Renewable energy in English: fossil fuels and clean energy, solar, wind and hydro power, solar panels and wind turbines, and the verbs you need to talk about producing and saving energy. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
Fossil fuels and renewable energy
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| energy(n.) | the power that makes things work | /ˈenədʒi/ | “We need clean energy for the future.” |
| fossil fuel(n.) | coal, oil or gas from the ground | /ˈfɒsl fjuːəl/ | “Coal and oil are fossil fuels.” |
| renewable energy(n.) | power from sources that never run out | /rɪˈnjuːəbl ˈenədʒi/ | “Renewable energy will replace fossil fuels.” |
| clean energy(n.) | power that does not pollute | /kliːn ˈenədʒi/ | “Solar power is a source of clean energy.” |
| green energy(n.) | power that is good for the planet | /ɡriːn ˈenədʒi/ | “My family uses green energy at home.” |
| oil(n.) | a thick black liquid from underground | /ɔɪl/ | “Oil prices are rising every year.” |
| coal(n.) | a black rock that you burn | /kəʊl/ | “Burning coal pollutes the air.” |
| gas(n.) | a fuel like air, used for heating | /ɡæs/ | “Natural gas is cheaper than oil.” |
| nuclear power(n.) | electricity made by splitting atoms | /ˈnjuːkliə ˈpaʊə/ | “France produces a lot of nuclear power.” |
Renewable sources
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| solar power(n.) | electricity made from sunlight | /ˈsəʊlə ˈpaʊə/ | “Solar power works best in sunny countries.” |
| wind power(n.) | electricity made from moving air | /wɪnd ˈpaʊə/ | “Wind power is growing fast in Europe.” |
| hydro power(n.) | electricity made from moving water | /ˈhaɪdrəʊ ˈpaʊə/ | “Hydro power uses the energy of rivers.” |
| geothermal(adj.) | using heat from inside the earth | /ˌdʒiːəʊˈθɜːml/ | “Iceland uses geothermal energy.” |
| biomass(n.) | plants and waste burnt for energy | /ˈbaɪəʊmæs/ | “Biomass can produce heat and electricity.” |
| tidal energy(n.) | power from the rising and falling sea | /ˈtaɪdl ˈenədʒi/ | “Tidal energy uses the movement of the sea.” |
Machines and buildings
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| solar panel(n.) | a flat board that turns sunlight into electricity | /ˈsəʊlə ˈpænl/ | “We installed solar panels on the roof.” |
| wind turbine(n.) | a tall machine with blades that makes electricity | /wɪnd ˈtɜːbaɪn/ | “Wind turbines turn slowly in the wind.” |
| wind farm(n.) | a group of many turbines in one place | /wɪnd fɑːm/ | “There is a big wind farm near our village.” |
| power plant(n.) | a big building that makes electricity | /ˈpaʊə plɑːnt/ | “The nuclear power plant produces electricity.” |
| dam(n.) | a wall that holds back a river | /dæm/ | “The dam produces hydroelectric power.” |
| battery(n.) | a device that stores electricity | /ˈbætri/ | “Electric cars use batteries to store energy.” |
| electric car(n.) | a vehicle that runs on batteries | /ɪˈlektrɪk kɑː/ | “My dad bought an electric car last year.” |
Producing and using energy
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| to produce(v.) | to make or create something | /prəˈdjuːs/ | “Solar panels produce electricity from the sun.” |
| to consume(v.) | to use something, like energy or food | /kənˈsjuːm/ | “We consume too much energy at home.” |
| to generate(v.) | to make electricity or heat | /ˈdʒenəreɪt/ | “Wind turbines generate electricity.” |
| to power(v.) | to give energy to a machine | /ˈpaʊə/ | “Solar panels power our whole house.” |
| to save energy(phrase) | to use less electricity and heat | /seɪv ˈenədʒi/ | “Turn off the lights to save energy.” |
| energy bill(n.) | the money you pay for electricity and gas | /ˈenədʒi bɪl/ | “My parents try to lower our energy bill.” |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. An energy ❌: energy is uncountable
When you talk about energy in general, do not say an energy or energies. Energy is uncountable in most situations: say solar energy, a lot of energy, more energy. The plural energies exists, but it has another meaning: a person's strength and effort (She put all her energies into the project.).
2. Solar power or solar energy?
Both are correct, but there is a small difference. Solar energy is the energy that comes from the sun. Solar power is usually the electricity that we make from it. Tip: power almost always means electricity that you can use.
3. Windmills ❌: say wind turbines
Modern machines that make electricity are wind turbines. Windmills are old, traditional buildings, like the ones in Don Quixote. A common mistake is to write windmills in a text about renewable energy.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most important words about renewable energy?+
The key words are renewable energy, solar power, wind power, fossil fuel, clean energy, solar panel, wind turbine, to produce, to save energy and nuclear power. With these words, you can understand most school texts about energy.
Is it solar power or solar energy?+
Both are correct. Solar energy is the energy that comes from the sun. Solar power is often the electricity that we make from it. Example: Solar power is one of the cleanest sources of energy. Do not say a solar energy: energy is uncountable (you cannot count it).
What is the difference between a wind turbine and a windmill?+
A wind turbine /wɪnd ˈtɜːbaɪn/ is a modern machine that makes electricity from the wind. A windmill /ˈwɪndmɪl/ is an old, traditional building that used the wind to grind grain, like the windmills in the story of Don Quixote. To talk about renewable energy, use wind turbine.
How do you give your opinion about energy in English?+
Use a simple plan. Start with your opinion: I think we should use more renewable energy. Then give two reasons with examples: For example, solar panels are cheaper now. Wind farms create jobs. End with a conclusion: That's why governments must act. Useful linking words: first, then, finally, because, however.
Is nuclear power renewable?+
No: most school texts in English do not call nuclear power renewable, because it uses uranium, and there is only a limited amount of uranium on Earth. But nuclear power is low-carbon: it produces very little CO2. Keep these three words apart: renewable, clean and low-carbon do not mean the same thing.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/renewable-energy
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.