Britain's Electricity Generation - April 2026
Fuel Type Breakdown
Britain’s electricity generation in April 2026 was led by wind, which contributed 31% of the energy mix. While slightly below the 35% recorded in April 2024, this represents a strong performance and a notable 9 percentage point increase compared to April 2025. Wind’s continued strength highlights its central role in Britain’s increasingly renewable-led power system as spring conditions support higher output.
Gas supplied 16% of electricity in April 2026, down significantly from 26% in April 2025. This 10 percentage point reduction marks the lowest April contribution from gas in recent years and reflects continued progress in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Electricity imports accounted for 15% of the generation mix, down 3 percentage points from April 2025 but still representing a meaningful share of Britain's supply. This underlines the continued importance of interconnectors in supporting overall system flexibility.
Nuclear power contributed 16%, up from 13% in April 2025, marking a modest recovery and providing an important source of firm low‑carbon generation.
Biomass generation remained steady at 7%, consistent with April 2025.
Solar output reached 11%, unchanged from April 2025, though higher than winter months, reflecting the increased generation associated with longer daylight hours during spring.
Storage technologies contributed 2%, consistent with April 2025 and maintaining their highest April share on record. This highlights the ongoing growth and importance of battery & storage assets in balancing renewable generation.
Hydropower increased slightly to 2%, up from 1% in April 2025, remaining broadly consistent with historical norms.
Coal once again remained absent from the generation mix, following its phase‑out from Britain's electricity generation in 2024.
Zero-Carbon Sources & Carbon Intensity
Zero‑carbon sources, including wind, solar, nuclear, and hydro, generated 78% of Britain’s electricity in April 2026. This marks the highest April share on record and a substantial increase of 32 percentage points compared to April 2025.
Carbon intensity declined sharply to 93 gCO₂/kWh in April 2026, representing a 30% reduction compared to the 133 gCO₂/kWh recorded in April 2025. This near-record low reflects strong renewable generation, particularly from wind and solar, alongside significantly reduced gas usage.
On a rolling 12‑month basis, carbon intensity fell to 122 gCO₂/kWh, down from 131 gCO₂/kWh in the previous period (7% reduction). Meanwhile, the rolling 12‑month average for zero‑carbon generation increased to 63%, indicating sustained progress in decarbonising Britain’s electricity system over the past year.
Peak zero‑carbon generation reached 99% during April 2026, the highest on record. This highlights the system’s growing ability to operate at near‑fully decarbonised levels during periods of favourable renewable conditions.
Concluding Remarks
April 2026 marked another significant milestone for Britain’s electricity system. Wind remained the dominant generation source, zero‑carbon generation reached record levels, and carbon intensity fell sharply year‑on‑year.
The reduction in gas usage, coupled with strong contributions from wind and solar, demonstrates the system’s increasing ability to operate with minimal fossil fuel input during favourable conditions. At the same time, nuclear, imports, and storage continue to play important supporting roles in maintaining system stability.
Looking ahead, sustaining this level of performance will depend on continued investment in renewable capacity, alongside further expansion of storage and flexible low‑carbon generation. These will be critical to maintaining progress in emissions reductions and ensuring a resilient, low‑carbon electricity system as Britain moves further into the summer months.
Britain's Electricity Summary Charts

Monthly Statistics
12-Month Rolling (Average) Statistics
To explore more insights, visit our interactive renewables map
here.
Data source: NESO 2026
(https://www.neso.energy/energy-101/great-britains-monthly-energy-stats)
About the Author
Doug is a specialist in carbon reporting and research, with extensive experience in supply chain emissions, regulatory compliance, renewable energy developments and sustainability performance improvement. He holds a Master’s degree in Green Economy, which underpins his ability to interpret complex environmental data and advise on practical, impactful strategies.
At edenseven, Doug leads the production of the firm’s monthly Britain’s Electricity Generation report, delivering clear, data-driven insights into the UK’s changing energy landscape. His work supports clients in understanding market trends, emissions performance, and opportunities for cleaner energy adoption.
Doug is a Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) and an ISEP Practitioner, reflecting his professional standing and commitment to advancing sustainable practices across sectors.







