United Kingdom

In the UK, low-carbon renewables have overtaken fossil fuels as the largest source of power generation.

With some of Europe’s highest wind speeds and a wind fleet of over 32 GW, it’s no surprise that wind power is the United Kingdom’s largest source of clean electricity (29%). Despite lower sunshine levels compared to the European average, the UK has significant solar generation capacity. The combined share of wind and solar generation (36%) is above the EU average (30%).

The United Kingdom relied on fossil fuels for 36% of its electricity in 2025, the majority of which was generated by fossil gas power plants after coal power was phased out in 2024. Energy import reliance has increased in recent years in the UK, despite increasing renewable power, due to a decline in North Sea oil and gas reserves. The UK’s power sector emissions per capita are 30% below the EU average. Electricity demand in the UK has been on a downward trend since a peak in 2005, however it plateaued in 2024 and 2025, as electrification and recovery from earlier energy price spikes contribute to demand increases. Overall, the UK ranked 17th for electricity demand globally in 2024.

The United Kingdom’s power sector emissions have fallen significantly in the last two decades due to the phase out of coal power and the rapid deployment of wind and solar. However, the UK remains reliant on gas (31%), and also on bioenergy (14%), despite concerns over its climate impacts and wider sustainability issues.

The UK has reduced its coal mine methane emissions by 90% since the early 1990s. Given that the majority of historic coal production in the UK originated from underground mines, most of the remaining methane risk now stems from abandoned mine shafts and facilities. Implementing a robust Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification system, consistent with the EU Methane Regulation, would provide verifiable data, ensure transparent reporting, and be essential for the UK to meet its commitments under the Global Methane Pledge.

Britain aims for a clean power system by 2030, with offshore wind supplying the majority of electricity and gas-fired power reduced to below 5%. In Northern Ireland, 80% of electricity consumption is expected to be supplied by renewables by 2030.