The UK’s electricity generation in 2024 hit a historic milestone, achieving its cleanest year yet. Wind and solar power reached all-time highs, driving a remarkable shift toward low-carbon energy sources. Renewables, including wind, solar, and biomass, supplied a record 45% of the country’s electricity, while low-carbon energy sources overall, including nuclear, accounted for 58%.
Carbon dioxide emissions per kilowatt hour dropped to 124g, a significant reduction from 419g a decade ago. However, fossil fuels like coal and gas still generated 29% of electricity, underscoring the need for accelerated phaseout plans to meet climate targets.
Despite challenges, the UK government aims to decarbonize the electricity grid by 2030. With wind generation poised to overtake gas as the top power source in 2025, experts say achieving a 95% low-carbon grid by decade’s end is within reach, but with little margin for error. This progress marks a pivotal step in the UK’s transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.