How much of UK electricity is renewable?

The UK renewable percentage changes constantly based on wind speed, sunshine and demand. As a rough guide by season:

What counts as renewable in the UK?

On UK Grid Live, renewables include:

• Wind (offshore & onshore): The UK’s largest renewable source. Offshore wind in the North Sea provides the most consistent output. Britain has some of the world’s largest offshore wind farms including Hornsea, Dogger Bank, and London Array.
• Solar PV: Includes both utility-scale solar farms and the 1.4+ million rooftop installations across GB. Peaks in summer, negligible in winter nights.
• Hydro (run-of-river): Small but consistent, mainly in Scotland and Wales. Weather-dependent but fairly steady.
• Biomass: Primarily Drax Power Station in Yorkshire, which burns imported wood pellets. Classified as renewable under UK subsidy rules, though the sustainability of biomass is debated.

Why does the renewable percentage change so much?

Wind is by far the biggest driver. On a windy day, wind alone can supply 60–80% of GB electricity. On a calm day (“anticyclonic gloom”), wind may provide only 2–5%. Solar adds a significant daily cycle — peaking around noon in summer and contributing nothing at night.

Demand also matters. On a mild, windy Sunday morning, renewable generation often exceeds demand — meaning the UK is exporting clean electricity to France, Belgium and beyond via the interconnectors, and the renewable percentage can exceed 90%.

UK vs European renewable generation

The UK’s exposed Atlantic position makes it exceptionally well-suited to wind power. On a typical windy day, GB wind output outperforms most European countries. UK Grid Live shows live EU prices on the right sidebar, giving you a real-time sense of where GB sits in the European market.

Offshore wind — the engine of UK clean energy

GB’s offshore wind capacity has grown from under 1 GW in 2010 to over 15 GW today. Key farms tracked on UK Grid Live’s map include:

• Hornsea 1 & 2 (off Yorkshire) — together 2.5 GW capacity, the world’s largest offshore wind complex when built
• Dogger Bank (off Yorkshire) — when complete, 3.6 GW, the world’s largest offshore wind farm
• London Array (Thames Estuary) — 630 MW, one of the first large offshore projects
• Moray East & Beatrice (off Scotland) — combined 1.1 GW exploiting Scotland’s exceptional wind resource

What’s driving the 2030 target?

The UK government’s Clean Power 2030 target aims for clean electricity (renewables + nuclear) to supply virtually all GB electricity by 2030. This requires approximately doubling current wind capacity and significant grid flexibility to manage variability. NESO published the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan in late 2024 outlining how this will be achieved.