Electricity generation in the UK - statistics & facts
The United Kingdom's electricity generation was dominated by renewable energy sources for the first time in history in 2023, making it the greenest year on record. That year, renewables accounted for almost 50 percent of the electricity production of the country, while the overall fossil fuel contribution was below 40 percent.
The future of the country's power sector has already been planned. The construction of new nuclear power plants and the joint deployment of renewables and natural gas are the basis of the transformation of the sector, which is shifting towards green and safe power supply.
In 2023, the country invested 74 billion U.S. dollars in the energy transition, one of the largest sums in the world. That same year, the UK celebrated halving its greenhouse gas emissions compared to the benchmark year 1990. Following this trend, the country aims for a fully clean electricity grid by 2035.
Meanwhile, the UK’s nuclear fleet is set to retire within five years. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK government announced a new expansion of nuclear power, planning the inauguration of new-generation nuclear plants in the next decades. In 2022, two nuclear reactors were under construction.
The country is also planning to support the electrification of the sector with energy storage systems, which are fundamental to decarbonizing not only the power sector, but also the country’s transportation system and heat production, two large energy consumers.
The future of the country's power sector has already been planned. The construction of new nuclear power plants and the joint deployment of renewables and natural gas are the basis of the transformation of the sector, which is shifting towards green and safe power supply.
Decline of fossil fuels in the United Kingdom
Although coal is still the world’s leading source of electricity, it accounted for less than two percent of electricity generation in the UK in 2022. According to a recent forecast on electricity production, this fossil fuel is expected to be completely phased out as a power source in the country by 2025. Similarly, gas-fired power – which is the single leading electricity source in the UK – has likely reached its peak in 2022. However, gas plants will maintain a relevant role in the UK, ensuring flexibility in the country’s predominantly clean energy sector.In 2023, the country invested 74 billion U.S. dollars in the energy transition, one of the largest sums in the world. That same year, the UK celebrated halving its greenhouse gas emissions compared to the benchmark year 1990. Following this trend, the country aims for a fully clean electricity grid by 2035.
Clean power sources in the United Kingdom
The past decade saw a boom in renewable deployment in the UK, and the new age of renewables is just beginning. The UK’s renewable capacity is expected to double by 2030, up to almost 100 gigawatts.Meanwhile, the UK’s nuclear fleet is set to retire within five years. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK government announced a new expansion of nuclear power, planning the inauguration of new-generation nuclear plants in the next decades. In 2022, two nuclear reactors were under construction.
The country is also planning to support the electrification of the sector with energy storage systems, which are fundamental to decarbonizing not only the power sector, but also the country’s transportation system and heat production, two large energy consumers.
