UK Breaks Renewable Energy Records in 2024 – Over Half of Electricity Now Green-Powered

In a major milestone for the UK’s transition to clean energy, new figures from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) confirm that over half of the country’s electricity in 2024 came from renewable sources – the highest share ever recorded.

Renewables Power Past 50%

In 2024, renewables supplied 50.4% of the UK’s electricity – up from 46.5% in 2023 – setting a new national record and demonstrating steady year-on-year growth. Leading the charge was wind power, which contributed 29.2% of the UK’s electricity (equivalent to 83.3 terawatt-hours). This not only marked an all-time high for wind but also underscored its dominant role in the UK’s energy mix.

Solar Holds Steady, Bioenergy and Hydro See Modest Growth

Solar energy remained stable, contributing 5% of the UK’s electricity – matching its 2023 high. Bioenergy saw a 2.4% increase, rising to 14.1%, while hydroelectric power inched upward by 0.2%, now making up 2% of the generation mix.

Fossil Fuels Hit Record Low

Fossil fuel generation fell to a historic low of 31.8%, a significant drop driven in part by the closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station – Ratcliffe-on-Soar – in September 2024. Coal is now effectively phased out from UK electricity generation.

While natural gas remains the single largest individual source of electricity, its share dropped to 30.4% – the lowest since 2015. This also represents a 4.2% decline from 2023 in percentage share and a 15% decline in actual generation volume.

Nuclear’s Slight Uptick and the Rise of Low-Carbon Power

Nuclear energy also saw a small increase, rising to 14.2% of the electricity mix. However, DESNZ clarifies this change is due more to a fall in overall generation than an increase in nuclear output itself.

Combined, low-carbon sources – renewables plus nuclear – accounted for 64.7% of the UK’s electricity generation in 2024. This marks yet another record and a 4.4% increase from 2023, affirming the country’s steady progress toward a net zero future.

Conclusion

These latest figures are a promising sign that the UK is on the right path toward a cleaner, greener energy system. While there’s still work to do – especially in reducing reliance on natural gas – the data from 2024 shows that investment in renewable infrastructure is paying off.

As government policy, technology, and public support continue to align, the UK’s energy transformation stands as a hopeful example of what’s possible when sustainability is made a national priority. We’ll be exploring this further at our upcoming one-day conference, Clean Energy UK, taking place in Newcastle on Tuesday, 4th November.