SECTOR ANALYSIS
edenseven are following trends in the renewable energy sector closely, as decarbonising the energy sector is vital for ensuring a sustainable future and achieving Net Zero. Considering the recent DESNZ quarterly update of the renewable energy planning database, we have produced a consolidated summary of projects in the United Kingdom that have received planning permission. We will continue to release updates each quarter. Key Insights: In the 12 months to the end of Q4 2025, the UK approved 677 solar PV projects, a 14% year-on-year increase and the second-highest rolling 12-month total on record. Together, these projects will deliver a record 6,075 MW of capacity, 37% more than the previous peak year in 2023. 2025 was a landmark year for UK offshore wind. Eight projects were approved, unlocking a record-breaking 9,900 MW of capacity, nearly double the previous peak set in 2015 and almost seven times the 1,282 MW approved in 2024. Onshore wind approvals rose to 56 projects. While this ranks only eighth by project count, their combined capacity of 1,734 MW is the second-highest total on record.
Fuel Type Breakdown Britain’s electricity generation in January 2026 was led by wind, which supplied 37% of the energy mix. This marks a strong rebound from the 27% recorded in January 2025 and represents the highest January contribution in the past five years. Wind outperformed gas by 6 percentage points, reinforcing its growing role as the backbone of winter electricity generation. Gas accounted for 31% of electricity generation in January 2026, down from 38% in January 2025 but still reflecting its continued role in meeting peak winter demand. Despite the year-on-year decline, gas remained the second-largest source of generation during the month. Electricity imports contributed 11% of the generation mix, slightly lower than January 2025 but broadly in line with recent winters. This continued reliance on imports highlights the importance of interconnectors in balancing domestic supply during periods of high demand. Nuclear power supplied 10% of electricity, down from 12% in January 2025 and well below levels seen earlier in the decade. This ongoing reduction reflects the continued decline of nuclear electricity generation in Britain. Biomass generation increased to 7%, up from 6% in January 2025, providing a stable source of dispatchable low-carbon power. Solar generation contributed 2%, consistent with recent January levels and reflecting limited seasonal output. Storage technologies supplied 2% of the mix, matching January 2025 and marking the joint-highest January contribution on record. This continued growth highlights the increasing importance of battery and storage assets in managing system flexibility. Hydropower remained steady at 2%, consistent with recent January performance. Coal remained absent from the generation mix, following its removal from Britain’s electricity generation in 2024. Zero-Carbon Sources & Carbon Intensity Zero-carbon sources, including wind, solar, nuclear and hydro, delivered 61% of Britain’s electricity in January 2026. This represents a significant improvement on January 2025’s 43% and the highest January share in the past five years. Carbon intensity fell to 144 gCO₂/kWh, a notable reduction (14%) compared with 168 gCO₂/kWh in January 2025 and broadly in line with January 2023 levels. This improvement reflects the stronger contribution from wind, storage and biomass alongside reduced gas generation. On a rolling 12-month basis, carbon intensity stood at 129 gCO₂/kWh, slightly higher than the previous rolling period but still well below historical averages. Meanwhile, the rolling 12-month average for zero-carbon generation increased to 57% (up by 6 percentage points), underlining continued long-term progress in decarbonising Britain’s electricity supply. Concluding Remarks January 2026 marked a strong start to the year for Britain’s electricity transition. Wind reclaimed its position as January's leading power source, following two years of gas-led January generation. Zero-carbon generation exceeded 60%, and carbon intensity fell sharply compared to the previous January. However, gas continued to play a significant role in meeting winter demand, while nuclear output remained subdued, and imports continued to play a large role in supporting system balance. Sustaining progress through the remainder of the year will depend on maintaining high renewable output, accelerating storage deployment, and further reducing our reliance on fossil-fuel-sourced energy. Britain's Electricity Summary Charts
Finding 1: Wind Energy Dominated Britain's Electricity Generation in 2025 In 2025, wind energy was Britain’s largest source of electricity generation, supplying around a third (30%) of total electricity. Wind now makes up almost 10% more of Britain's electricity mix than it did in 2021, underscoring its role as the backbone of Britain’s electricity system (figures 1 & 2). Finding 2: Gas Levels Have Fallen Dramatically Since 2021 Gas generation declined by almost 15%, falling from 39% of Britain’s electricity mix in 2021 to 26% in 2025. After a sharp decline between 2021 and 2024, gas output stabilised in 2025, indicating a new, lower baseline for fossil-fuel generation (figures 1 & 2). Finding 3: Coal Absent from Britain's Electricity Mix in 2025 Coal’s share of generation fell from 2% in 2021 to 0% in 2025, making 2025 the first full year with no electricity generation in Britain from coal. This is a major milestone for Britain’s electricity decarbonisation and a significant step to reduce emissions (figures 1 & 2). Finding 4: Solar, Storage, and Imports Played a Growing Role Between 2021 and 2025, solar generation increased from supplying 4% of Britain's electricity, to 7% in 2025, while storage has doubled from 1% to 2% in 2025. Over the same period, imported energy has risen from 10% to 15% of Britain's electricity mix, highlighting a strong need to balance domestic low-carbon generation and improve grid flexibility (figures 1 & 2).
Fuel Type Breakdown Britain’s electricity generation in December 2025 was once again led by wind, which supplied 38% of the energy mix. While slightly below the 39% recorded in December 2024 and the 41% peak in December 2023, wind maintained its dominant position and continued to outperform all other generation sources. Wind generation exceeded gas output by 13 percentage points, underlining its central role in Britain’s winter electricity supply. Gas accounted for 25% of electricity generation in December 2025, its lowest December share in the past five years, and 13 percentage points below December 2021. This continued decline highlights sustained progress in reducing reliance on fossil fuels, particularly during peak winter demand. Electricity imports rose to 15% of the generation mix, the highest December share over the past five years and up 5 percentage points year-on-year. This increase reflects growing reliance on cross-border electricity flows to support domestic supply during periods of high demand. Nuclear power contributed 10% to the mix, its lowest December contribution in the past five years and 6 percentage points below both December 2021 & 2022, continuing a multi-year trend of reduced nuclear availability. Solar generation delivered 2% of electricity, the highest December contribution in the past five years, though still modest given seasonal conditions. Storage technologies supplied 2% of the mix, doubling their contribution compared to previous Decembers and marking the strongest December performance to date. This growth highlights ongoing improvements in grid flexibility and battery capacity. Biomass generation accounted for 7%, up from 6% in December 2024, while hydropower remained steady at 3%, consistent with the past three Decembers. Coal remained absent from the generation mix, reinforcing Britain’s continued phase-out of coal-fired power. Zero-Carbon Sources & Carbon Intensity Zero-carbon sources, including wind, solar, nuclear, and hydro, supplied 67% of Britain’s electricity in December 2025. This represents the highest December share in the past five years and an 11 percentage point increase compared to December 2024. Carbon intensity fell further to 120 gCO₂/kWh, improving on December 2024’s 126 gCO₂/kWh and marking the lowest December level across the five-year period. This reduction reflects the combined impact of strong wind generation, increased storage deployment, and reduced gas usage. On a rolling 12-month basis, carbon intensity stood at 129 gCO₂/kWh, slightly higher than the previous year’s rolling average but still significantly lower than levels seen earlier in the decade. Meanwhile, the rolling 12-month average for zero-carbon generation increased to 56%, highlighting continued long-term progress in decarbonising Britain’s electricity system. Concluding Remarks December 2025 capped off a strong year for Britain’s electricity transition. Wind remained the backbone of the generation mix, and the zero-carbon share climbed to a record December high of 67%. These developments helped drive carbon intensity to its lowest December level in five years. However, the continued decline in nuclear output and a sharp rise in electricity imports underline ongoing structural challenges. To maintain momentum toward net zero and strengthen energy security, sustained investment in domestic clean generation, nuclear capacity, and flexible technologies will remain essential as Britain enters the next phase of its energy transition. Britain's Electricity Summary Charts
edenseven are following trends in the renewable energy sector closely, as decarbonising the energy sector is vital for ensuring a sustainable future and achieving Net Zero. Considering the recent DESNZ quarterly update of the renewable energy planning database, we have produced a consolidated summary of projects in the United Kingdom that have received planning permission. We will continue to release updates each quarter. Key Insights: In the 12 months to the end of Q3 2025, the UK approved 710 solar PV projects, up 6% year on year and the second-highest 12-month total ending Q3. These approvals will deliver a record 5,448 MW of solar capacity. Offshore wind approvals doubled to 8 projects, set to deliver a record 9,900 MW. Meanwhile, onshore wind approvals fell to 42 projects, though total capacity rose to 1,039 MW, driven by larger average project sizes.
Fuel Type Breakdown Britain's electricity generation in November 2025 was led by wind, which contributed 37% of the energy mix. This represents the highest November share in the past five years, up 10 percentage points compared to November 2024. Wind also outpaced gas generation by 10 percentage points, reinforcing its role as the dominant power source. Gas supplied 27% of electricity in November 2025, marking its lowest November contribution over the last five years. This decline underscores ongoing progress in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and highlights the shifting balance towards renewable energy. Electricity imports accounted for 11% of the generation mix, unchanged from November 2024 but slightly below the 12% seen in November 2023. This continued reliance on cross-border electricity reflects the need to balance intermittent domestic supply. Nuclear power contributed 10% of the mix, down from 12% in both November 2023 and November 2024, and 6% below the level seen in November 2021, continuing a trend of reduced nuclear availability. Solar generation provided 2% of Britain’s electricity, down from 4% in November 2024, but largely consistent with the previous years, indicating stable, though modest, contributions from solar during autumn. Storage technologies supplied 2% of the mix, up 1 percentage point compared to November 2024, marking the highest November contribution in the past five years. This increase signals improvements in grid flexibility and battery deployment. Biomass contributed 8%, up slightly from 7% in November 2024, while hydropower remained steady at 2%, consistent with levels over the previous five years. Coal remained absent from the generation mix, continuing Britain’s phasing out of coal-fired power. Zero-Carbon Sources & Carbon Intensity Zero-carbon sources, including wind, solar, nuclear and hydro, delivered 66% of Britain’s electricity in November 2025, the highest November share in the past five years and a significant 24 percentage points higher than November 2024. Carbon intensity fell sharply to 126 gCO₂/kWh in November 2025, a marked reduction compared to 171 gCO₂/kWh in November 2024 and the lowest November level in the past five years. On a rolling 12-month basis, carbon intensity remained low at 129 gCO₂/kWh, slightly higher than the previous period but still reflecting the impact of increased renewable generation. The rolling 12-month average for zero-carbon generation is 55%, 4% higher than the previous 12-month period, highlighting steady long-term growth in low-carbon electricity sources. Concluding Remarks November 2025 was a strong month for Britain’s electricity transition. Wind delivered record November output, storage continued to support grid flexibility, and the zero-carbon share reached an all-time November high of 66%. Carbon intensity dropped to its lowest November level in five years, underlining the tangible benefits of renewables and flexible technologies. Despite these gains, nuclear output remained lower than in previous years, and imports continued to play a role in balancing supply. To sustain momentum towards net zero, ongoing investment in domestic clean energy generation, storage, and flexible grid technologies remains essential. Britain's Electricity Summary Charts
Fuel Type Breakdown Britain's electricity generation in October 2025 was led by wind, which contributed 34% of the energy mix, matching its share from October 2023 but below the 36% recorded in October 2022. This represented a 3 percentage point increase compared to October 2024 and outpaced gas generation by 5 percentage points, reinforcing wind's position as a leading power source. Gas, meanwhile, supplied 29% of electricity in October 2025, marking its second-lowest October contribution in the past five years. This decline highlights ongoing progress in reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Electricity imports accounted for 14% of Britain's generation mix, up 3 percentage points compared to October 2024 and the highest October share in the past five years. This sustained level reflects continued dependence on cross-border electricity flows to balance domestic supply. Nuclear power contributed 10% to the mix, down from 13% in October 2024 and below the 14% seen in 2021, 2022 & 2023. This marks a continued period of reduced nuclear availability. Solar generation delivered 3% of Britain's electricity in October 2025, consistent with October 2023 and October 2021 but 1 percentage point lower than in October 2024 and October 2022. Storage technologies supplied 2% of the mix, up 1 percentage point year-on-year and the highest October contribution in the past five years, signalling ongoing improvements in grid flexibility and battery capacity. Biomass contributed 6% to the mix, 2 percentage points lower than in October 2024. Hydropower remained steady at 2%, largely consistent with October levels across the previous five years. Coal remained absent from the generation mix, continuing Britain's phase-out of coal-fired power. Zero-Carbon Sources & Carbon Intensity Zero-carbon sources, including wind, solar, nuclear, and hydro, delivered 61% of Britain's electricity in October 2025, the highest October share of the previous five years and 10 percentage points higher than in October last year. Carbon intensity for October 2025 remained static compared to October in the previous two years at 138 gCO₂/kWh. This stagnation suggests that more effort is needed to decarbonise Britain's electricity to ensure continued progress towards net zero. Over the longer term, the 12-month rolling average for zero-carbon generation increased by 1% over the previous 12-month period, to 53%. In contrast, the rolling average carbon intensity rose by 8% to 133 gCO₂/kWh compared with the previous 12 months, signalling the importance of accelerating clean energy deployment to sustain downward momentum. Concluding Remarks October 2025 marked a relatively good month for Britain's renewable generation, with wind maintaining its position as the leading power source, though falling short of the 36% achieved in October 2022. Together with growing storage capacity, these sources helped sustain low carbon intensity levels. However, the decline in nuclear generation and continued reliance on imports highlight the need for further investment in domestic clean energy infrastructure and flexible technologies. While progress in storage and renewable deployment is evident, maintaining long-term momentum will be essential to achieving sustained reductions in carbon intensity towards net zero and strengthening Britain's energy resilience. Britain's Electricity Summary Charts
edenseven are following trends in the renewable energy sector closely, as decarbonising the energy sector is vital for ensuring a sustainable future and achieving Net Zero. Considering the recent DESNZ quarterly update of the renewable energy planning database, we have produced a consolidated summary of projects in the United Kingdom that have received planning permission. We will continue to release updates each quarter. Key Insights: Solar photovoltaic (PV) is scaling rapidly, driven by falling costs and strong investor appetite. In the last 12-months (ending Q2), 662 projects were approved, the third-highest 12-month period ending Q2 in 16 years, representing a record 4,831 MW of new capacity, with an average project size of 7 MW. Offshore wind, meanwhile, continues to demonstrate a mature, large-scale market with fewer but much larger developments. Six projects were approved in the last 12-months (ending Q2), also the joint third-highest year on record, delivering a record 6,803 MW of capacity and an average project size of 1,134 MW. In contrast, onshore wind growth remains constrained by planning and policy barriers, with 43 projects approved in the last 12 months (ending Q2), ranking 12th out of 16 years, and a relatively modest 915 MW of capacity, averaging 21 MW per project. Overall, total capacity for approved wind and solar projects in the last 12-months (ending Q2) reached a record 12,549 MW. While project numbers remain steady, the average scale of developments is increasing sharply, signaling that the UK’s renewable expansion is shifting from volume to scale, led by large solar and offshore wind projects.
Fuel Type Breakdown Britain’s electricity generation in September 2025 was led by wind, which contributed 35% of the energy mix, its highest September share in the past five years. This represented a 9 percentage point increase compared to September 2024 and outpaced gas generation by 13 percentage points, reinforcing wind’s continued dominance as Britain’s leading power source. Gas, meanwhile, supplied 22% of electricity in September 2025, marking its lowest September contribution in the past five years and half of the share recorded in September 2022. This decline highlights ongoing progress in reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Electricity imports accounted for 15% of Britain’s generation mix, consistent with September 2024 but remaining substantially higher than in 2021 (10%), 2022 (2%), and 2023 (11%). This sustained level reflects continued dependence on cross-border electricity flows to balance domestic supply. Nuclear power contributed 10% to the mix, down from 16% in September 2024 and below the levels seen in 2021 (16%), 2022 (15%), and 2023 (17%). This marks a continued period of reduced nuclear availability. Solar generation delivered 7% of Britain’s electricity in September 2025, its highest September share in the past five years and 1 percentage point higher than in September 2024. This record contribution highlights solar’s growing role in supporting Britain’s late-summer energy demand. Storage technologies supplied 2% of the mix, up 1 percentage point year-on-year and the highest September contribution in the last five years, signalling ongoing improvements in grid flexibility and battery capacity. Biomass contributed 7% to the mix, 1 percentage point lower than in September 2024 but still representing its second-highest September share in the past five years. Hydropower remained steady at 2%, consistent with levels in 2023 and 2024, and 1 percentage point above those recorded in 2021 and 2022. Coal remained absent from the generation mix, continuing Britain’s phase-out of coal-fired power. Zero-Carbon Sources & Carbon Intensity Zero-carbon sources, including wind, solar, nuclear, and hydro, delivered 67% of Britain’s electricity in September 2025, the highest share of any month on record and nearly 30 percentage points higher than in September 2021. This milestone reflects the steady structural shift toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy system. Carbon intensity for September 2025 fell to 112 gCO₂/kWh, the lowest September figure in the past five years and 45% below the level recorded in September 2021, underscoring substantial progress in reducing emissions from electricity generation. Over the longer term, the 12-month rolling average for zero-carbon generation remained at 52%, consistent with the previous period and indicating a short-term plateau in renewable expansion. In contrast, the rolling average carbon intensity rose by 8% to 133 gCO₂/kWh compared with the previous 12 months, signalling the importance of accelerating clean energy deployment to sustain downward momentum. Concluding Remarks September 2025 marked a strong month for Britain’s renewable generation, led by record wind output and growing solar capacity. Together, these sources helped deliver the highest September share of zero-carbon electricity in five years, driving carbon intensity to new lows. However, the decline in nuclear generation and continued reliance on imports highlight the need for further investment in domestic clean energy infrastructure and flexible technologies. While progress in storage and renewable deployment is evident, maintaining long-term momentum will be essential to achieving sustained reductions in carbon intensity and strengthening Britain’s energy resilience. Britain's Electricity Summary Charts
