UK renewable energy set to surpass fossil fuels in 2024
2024 is set to be the first full year where UK low-carbon renewables – wind, solar and hydropower – generate more electricity than fossil fuels, with wind power close to becoming the single largest source of UK power for the first time.
This is according to a new report from think-tank Ember, which found that renewables are expected to provide 37% of the nation’s electricity in 2024 (103 TWh), overtaking fossil fuels, which are forecast to contribute 35% (97 TWh). This marks a significant shift, as fossil fuels made up 46% of the UK’s electricity generation just three years ago, in 2021, while renewables accounted for only 27%.
Wind power is nearing another important milestone, with forecasts suggesting it could become the UK’s largest single electricity source. Wind energy is set to generate 29% of the country’s electricity in 2024 (82 TWh), just behind gas at 30% (85 TWh). However, the final outcome will depend on December’s wind conditions and electricity demand, making it too close to call whether wind will surpass gas this year.
The decline in fossil fuel use has been dramatic, according to Ember. Gas power generation in 2024 is expected to experience its third-largest fall in over a decade, dropping by 13% compared to the previous year (from 98 TWh to 85 TWh). This marks the lowest level of gas-powered generation since 1996. Coal use, meanwhile, has been steadily declining since 2012 and officially reached zero in October 2024, with the UK closing its last coal plant.
Together, these trends highlight a significant reduction in fossil fuel reliance, spurred by rising renewable capacity, lower electricity demand, and cheaper power imports.
Frankie Mayo, senior energy & climate analyst at Ember, comments:
“The renewables future is here. This long-awaited milestone is a testament to how much progress the UK has made. It’s time to seize the moment, to cut reliance on expensive gas with new renewables, storage, and grid upgrades. With the phase-out of coal power completed this year, reducing gas use is the next big opportunity for the country.”
This milestone follows years of progress in the UK’s energy transition. Notably, renewables — including biomass — first surpassed fossil fuels during 2020, though this trend reversed temporarily in 2021 due to a decline in biomass output. In 2024, bioenergy, which includes biomass and biogas, is set to account for 14% of UK electricity. However, concerns remain about the emissions risks associated with biomass, particularly as the UK relies heavily on imported pellets for production.
