New statistics published today by the UK government confirm that renewable energy generated a record annual percentage of the UK’s electricity in 2023.
Renewables output outstripped fossil fuels for the third time in four years, and marginally exceeding previous records for generation.
Onshore and offshore wind generated their highest annual percentages of electricity ever, while offshore wind and solar also set new records for generation.
Renewables provided 46.4% of the UK’s electricity last year, a new annual record (up from 41.5% in 2022), compared to 36.7% from fossil fuels (mainly gas) – a record annual low (fossil fuels produced 40.8% in 2022).
Renewables marginally surpassing the previous record for the amount of electricity generated (135TWh) set last year.
The Digest of UK Energy Statistics, published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, states the rise is due to increases in wind and solar generation capacity, which offset slightly less favourable weather conditions.
The annual report also notes that the share of generation from low carbon sources rose to a record 60.3% in 2023, as stable renewable generation combined with lower overall generation.
Wind remains the UK’s biggest source of clean power, generating a record 28.1% of our electricity in 2023 (a record 82.3 terawatt hours), beating the previous record of 24.7% (80.3TWh) in 2022.
Wind provided over 60% of all renewable electricity last year.
A record 17% of the UK’s electricity was produced by offshore wind (a record 49.7TWh) beating 13.8% in 2022 (45.0TWh), while onshore wind provided a record 11.2% (compared to 10.8% in 2022).
RenewableUK’s chief executive Dan McGrail said: “As these record-breaking figures show, renewables are now the backbone of the UK’s electricity system, keeping the country powered up as we transition away from expensive fossil fuels towards cheap electricity and our net zero goals.
“The less gas we use, the more protection billpayers have against volatile gas prices, so every clean energy project takes us a step closer to energy independence and real security.
“The industry is working closely with the new government to ensure we unlock billions of pounds of private sector investment in renewables by maximising each annual auction for new projects to go ahead, creating tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and building up new supply chains all over the country.
“The new government has hit the ground running by announcing a Planning and Infrastructure Bill in the King’s Speech and lifting the de facto onshore wind ban in England, as well as launching Great British Energy which will own and invest in projects across a range of technologies, helping the UK to become a clean energy superpower.”