Otis Singleton
The United Kingdom's electricity comes from a variety of sources, both domestic and imported. In 2024, 26.9% of the UK's electricity came from fossil fuels, 51% from zero-carbon power, 6.8% from biomass, 14.1% from imports, and 1.2% from storage. The UK's electricity production has been undergoing a transition, with coal power ending in 2024 and a greater emphasis on renewable energy sources. The UK government has set targets to increase the use of renewable and low-carbon energy sources, with a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The country's electricity mix is expected to continue evolving to meet these targets and the changing demands of consumers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of last coal-fired power station operation | 30 September 2024 |
| Total installed nuclear capacity | 6.8 GW |
| Date of first full day without coal power since the Industrial Revolution | 21 April 2017 |
| Total electricity production in 2020 | 312 TWh |
| Percentage of electricity generated from renewable sources in 2020 | 41.9% |
| Total energy consumption in the UK in 2019 | 1,651 TWh |
| Demand for electricity in 2023 | 29.6 GW |
| Electricity generated from wind turbines in 2023 | 29.4% |
| Electricity generated from zero-carbon sources in 2023 | 51% |
| Percentage of UK electricity generation from renewable sources (latest data) | 47% |
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Fossil fuels
In recent years, the UK has made notable progress in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning towards cleaner energy sources. In 2019, renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower surpassed fossil fuels in electricity generation for the first time. This trend continued, and in 2022, low-carbon sources accounted for 56% of the UK's total electricity generation, with renewables comprising 43% and nuclear contributing 13%.
Despite these positive developments, fossil fuels continue to play a significant role in the UK's energy mix. In 2024, 26.9% of the UK's electricity grid supply still came from fossil fuels, with natural gas accounting for almost all of this proportion. The UK's consumption of natural gas has shifted from near self-sufficiency in 2010 to a 40% gas import rate in the same year. This highlights the increasing dependence on imported energy sources.
The UK government has set ambitious targets to address this issue and reduce emissions. The goal is to achieve 95% low-carbon electricity by 2030 and a fully decarbonised grid by 2035. To meet these targets, the government aims to increase the capacity of offshore wind, nuclear, carbon capture, and hydrogen. Additionally, Scotland has set its own target of achieving a carbon-free electricity sector based on renewable energy sources by 2032.
While the UK has made significant strides in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, continued efforts are necessary to align with its net-zero commitments. The expansion of renewable energy sources and the decline in electricity demand have been instrumental in driving down fossil fuel usage. However, the UK must remain committed to these efforts to ensure a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future.
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Nuclear power
The UK currently has nine operational nuclear reactors at four locations, producing 5.9 GWe. The country also has nuclear reprocessing plants at Sellafield and the Tails Management Facility (TMF) operated by Urenco in Capenhurst. The future of nuclear power in the UK is uncertain, with some companies pulling out of plans for new nuclear power plants. However, the government has announced a renewed commitment to nuclear power, with plans to build new reactors at Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell C. The government has also introduced new financing models, such as the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model, to encourage investment in new nuclear plants.
The UK government has set ambitious targets for nuclear energy, aiming to generate 25% of its electricity from nuclear power by 2050. To achieve this, the government has established Great British Nuclear to bring forward new projects and launched a £120 million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund. Rolls Royce also plans to build 16 Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2050, which could provide up to a third of the power of a typical large reactor. However, there are concerns about the cost and time it will take to build these SMRs, as well as the lack of a safe, long-term solution for dealing with the nuclear waste they will generate.
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Renewable energy
The UK has led the world in decarbonising its power system, and renewable electricity growth is accelerating faster than ever before worldwide. Technology innovations have enabled rapid cost reductions, making wind and solar much cheaper sources of generation than fossil fuels. The UK government has also introduced incentives for renewable electricity, such as the Renewable Obligation Certificate scheme (ROCs), feed-in tariffs (FITs), and Contracts for Difference.
Wind power is the second-largest source of renewable energy in the UK, after biomass. In 2023, wind power contributed 29.4% of the UK's total electricity generation, and the country is expected to continue increasing its wind power capacity. Offshore wind power became cheaper than new nuclear power for the first time in 2017, and the UK has committed to increasing offshore wind output to 50GW by 2030.
Solar power has also seen significant advancements, with the cost of utility-scale solar falling by 88% since 2010, and the efficiency of solar panels continuing to improve. Solar energy can provide close to 30% of the UK’s electricity demand, and it is now the cheapest source of electricity in the world.
Other renewable energy sources, such as tidal power and hydropower, also contribute to the UK's energy mix. The UK has set a target of achieving 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030, and the country's electricity network is connected to other European countries through sub-sea high-voltage cables, allowing for the exchange of renewable energy.
The UK has set a target of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and renewable energy sources will play a crucial role in achieving this goal. The country's renewable capacity is expected to increase dramatically in the coming years, with a rapid expansion of renewable energy sources helping to ensure energy security and enabling the UK to reach Net Zero faster and at a lower cost.
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Energy imports
The UK's energy imports have changed over time, with the country moving from almost gas self-sufficient to 40% gas imports in 2010. In 2022, the UK imported about 37% of its primary energy, a decrease from nearly 50% in the early 2010s. The UK typically imports less of its electricity, with figures ranging from 14.1% in 2024 to 5% in 2022. The UK imports gas from Norway, Russia, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Qatar. The UK also imports nuclear energy from France.
The UK's National Grid imports energy from overseas through interconnectors, which are subsea cables that link to France, Belgium, Norway, and the Netherlands. These interconnectors allow for the trading of excess power, including renewable energy, between different countries. Northern Ireland has a separate energy market from the rest of the UK and is not included in the National Grid's figures.
The UK's energy imports have important implications for the country's energy security and susceptibility to wholesale market price changes. The UK has been focusing on reducing its reliance on gas imports and increasing the use of renewables to lower bills and boost energy security. The UK government has set ambitious targets for increasing the capacity of offshore wind, nuclear, carbon capture, and hydrogen to achieve its net-zero goals.
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Energy efficiency
One of the key contributors to energy efficiency in Britain has been the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs and the widespread adoption of compact fluorescent and LED lighting. According to research by the University of Oxford, the average annual electrical consumption for lighting in a UK home decreased significantly from 720 kWh in 1997 to 508 kWh in 2012. This shift to more energy-efficient lighting has had a notable impact on reducing the country's overall electricity demand.
In addition to lighting, the use of energy-efficient appliances has also contributed to energy efficiency in Britain. The increasing popularity of electric vehicles and heat pumps is expected to further drive up electricity demand, and energy-efficient appliances can help mitigate this increase. Additionally, the UK government's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions has resulted in a shift away from fossil fuels towards renewable and low-carbon energy sources.
Britain has made significant progress in transitioning to renewable energy sources. In the third quarter of 2019, renewables, including wind, solar, biomass, and hydro plants, generated more electricity than fossil fuels for the first time. This milestone represents a symbolic transformation in the UK's electricity system. Wind power, in particular, has seen substantial growth, contributing 30% of the yearly electrical energy on the National Grid as of 2024.
To meet the UK's legally binding target of achieving net-zero emissions across the economy by 2050, the government has set an ambitious goal of generating all electricity from "clean" sources by 2035. This includes increasing the capacity of offshore wind, nuclear, carbon capture, and hydrogen. While the UK has made strides in energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption, there is still work to be done to align with its net-zero commitments.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity in Britain is generated from a variety of sources, including natural gas, coal, nuclear power, and renewables like wind, solar, and hydroelectricity.
In the third quarter of 2019, renewables contributed 38.9% of the UK's electricity generation. This includes wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower.
In 2024, 26.9% of Britain's electricity came from fossil fuels, with natural gas accounting for the majority of that share.
The energy mix in Britain has evolved significantly. In the past, coal was the primary source of electricity, but its use has declined sharply in recent years. There has been a shift towards natural gas, nuclear power, and renewables.
The British government has set targets to increase the capacity of offshore wind, nuclear, carbon capture, and hydrogen to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The government aims for all electricity to be generated from "'clean' sources by 2035."
