In statistics released by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) renewables generated a record annual amount of electricity in 2022.
Production from renewable technologies beat the previous record high of 2020 and renewables share of electricity generation increased to 41.5% from 39.6% last year, largely due to wind and solar generation reaching new record highs.
Wind generation hit a record high share of 24.7% of generation.
Generation from fossil fuels fell slightly (down to a share of 40.8%) but generation from gas remained the principal form of UK generation at 38.4%.
The Digest of UK Energy Statistics states that the increase is due to high output from wind and solar generators, substantial increases in wind generation capacity and more favourable weather conditions than 2021.
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail said: “It’s great to see renewables setting new records across the board, generating record amounts of clean power last year, making us less dependant on expensive gas imports at the very time when fossil fuel costs rocketed up, causing an energy crisis which we’re still grappling with.
“Government and industry must pull out all the stops to increase our energy security by ensuring that vital new clean energy projects can be built faster, onshore and offshore.
“This is not the time to waver or row back on policies which accelerate the energy transition.
“On the contrary, we need more of a focus from Government on ensuring we continue to unlock investment in renewables, and that the UK’s secures the maximum amount of new jobs and manufacturing investment which could flow from the billions of pounds of private investment which our sector brings.”