UK increases renewables share of generation to 46.4% in 2023

The UK achieved a record share of renewable electricity generation in 2023, reaching 46.4%, according to new annual figures released today by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Renewable generation slightly surpassed the 2022 record with a 0.3% increase to 135.8 TWh as capacity expansion more than offset less favourable weather for wind and solar. Renewable capacity grew by 5.2%, or 2.8 GW. The share of renewables was 4.7 percentage points up on 2022 and 3.4 percentage points up on the previous record in 2020, also reflecting a fall in total electricity generation.

Wind provided a record 28.1% of UK electricity in 2023, with 17% generated by offshore wind 11.2% by onshore wind. The shares of solar, bioenergy and hydro were 4.7%, 11.6% and 1.9%, respectively. Including nuclear, low-carbon generation accounted for 60.3% of UK electricity last year.

Commenting on the renewable power generation records confirmed by the government’s Digest of UK Energy Statistics, 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.”

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