UK Renewable Energy Statistics
Live UK renewable energy counter 2026. Renewable sources generated approximately 47% of UK electricity in 2023 — the highest share ever recorded. Watch renewable energy generation tick in real time.
About These Statistics
Renewable sources generated approximately 47% of the UK's electricity in 2023 — the highest share ever recorded — according to DESNZ Energy Trends statistics. Wind power was the largest single source of renewable electricity, generating approximately 29% of total electricity. Solar generated approximately 4%, hydroelectric approximately 2% and bioenergy approximately 12%. The UK has been a world leader in offshore wind development, with more offshore wind capacity than any other country.
The UK's renewable energy capacity has grown dramatically over the past decade. Offshore wind capacity has increased from approximately 1.3 GW in 2012 to approximately 14 GW today, with a further 26 GW in the planning pipeline. The government has set a target of 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030. Solar capacity has grown from virtually zero in 2010 to approximately 15 GW, though most of this is on rooftops and small-scale installations.
The UK's electricity grid has been progressively decarbonised, with coal power virtually eliminated. The last coal power station in Great Britain — Ratcliffe-on-Soar — closed in September 2024, ending over 140 years of coal-fired electricity generation. Electricity generation is now dominated by gas (approximately 30%), wind (approximately 29%), nuclear (approximately 15%) and solar (approximately 4%).
Despite progress in electricity, renewable energy's share of total energy consumption (including heat and transport) is lower at approximately 22%. Heat — the energy used to warm buildings and industrial processes — remains predominantly gas-fired. The government's target is to decarbonise heating through heat pumps, hydrogen and district heating, though progress has been slower than planned.
The cost of renewable energy has fallen dramatically. The cost of offshore wind has fallen by approximately 70% since 2015, making it now competitive with or cheaper than gas-fired generation without subsidy. This cost reduction has been the key driver of the renewable transition — economic as much as environmental. The UK government uses Contracts for Difference (CfDs) to support new renewable capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on official UK government data
What percentage of UK energy comes from renewables?
Renewable sources generated approximately 47% of UK electricity in 2023 — the highest ever recorded. Wind was the largest source at approximately 29% of electricity, followed by bioenergy (12%), solar (4%) and hydroelectric (2%). For total energy consumption including heat and transport, renewables account for approximately 22%. The UK is a world leader in offshore wind capacity.
How much wind energy does the UK produce?
Wind power generated approximately 29% of UK electricity in 2023, making it the single largest source of electricity generation when averaged over the year. The UK has approximately 14 GW of offshore wind capacity — more than any other country — and approximately 14 GW of onshore wind. The government has set a target of 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030.
Has the UK stopped using coal?
Yes. The last coal-fired power station in Great Britain — Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire — closed in September 2024, ending over 140 years of coal electricity generation in Britain. The UK was the first major economy to set a date for ending coal power. Coal's share of electricity generation fell from approximately 40% in 2012 to zero by 2024, replaced primarily by renewables and gas.