Renewables powered over half of UK electricity in 2025

2 April 2026

Renewable energy sources generated 52.5% of the UK’s electricity in 2025, marking the second consecutive year they have supplied more than half of total power, according to new government figures.

The data, published in the latest Energy Trends report by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, shows an increase from the previous record of 50.4% in 2024. Total renewable generation reached a new high of 152.5 terawatt hours, up 5.7% on the previous year.

The report attributes the rise largely to higher wind and solar output, with both technologies now producing ten times more electricity than in 2015. Wind power remained the dominant renewable source, generating 30% of the UK’s electricity, equivalent to 87.1TWh. Offshore wind contributed 17.9%, while onshore wind accounted for 12.1%.

Solar generation also reached a record level, providing 6.9% of electricity, or 20TWh, compared with 5.1% in 2024. The increase was linked to expanded capacity and higher average daily sunshine.

Despite the growth in renewables, the overall share of low-carbon electricity, which includes nuclear power, changed little. It stood at 64.8% in 2025, compared with 64.6% the year before. This was due to a decline in nuclear generation, which fell by 12% to 35.9TWh. The report cites plant closures and outages across the ageing nuclear fleet.

Electricity generation from fossil fuels rose slightly to 32%, with gas accounting for the vast majority. Gas-fired generation increased to 91.5TWh, representing 31.5% of the total. Coal generation had already ceased in 2024.

RenewableUK chief executive Tara Singh says:

“These figures show renewables are now the backbone of Britain’s power system, supplying most of our electricity for the second year running, with wind doing the heavy lifting.”

“With the next renewables auction opening in July… there’s a real opportunity to lock in cheaper, more secure power, and the Government should be ambitious on the budget and parameters for the upcoming auction.”