SECTOR ANALYSIS

Wind energy was the main contributing source to Britain’s electricity in March 2024, accounting for 33% of the mix, a 4% increase compared to March 2023, and its highest contribution for March in the last 4 years. Solar contributed 4% of the electricity mix in March 2024, a 1% increase compared with March 2023. Gas contributed 24% of Britain’s electricity mix in March 2024, the second lowest proportion of Britain’s electricity it has made up since at least 2020 and a 10% decrease compared with March 2023. Imports saw a 3% increase, comprising 17% of the mix, its second highest proportion since at least 2020. Coal, Nuclear, Biomass, Hydro & Storage contributions remained consistent with March 2023. More than half (51%) of the electricity generation in March 2024 came from zero-carbon sources, representing a 4% increase from March 2023, and the highest for March in the previous 4 years. The rolling 12-month average for April 2023 to March 2024 remains substantially lower than the previous three 12-month periods, at 148 gCO₂/kWh, and 17% lower than the previous 12-month period. Increasing the electricity generation delivered by renewable sources can help us achieve our Net-Zero ambitions, ensure energy security, and decrease reliance on imports.

In February 2024, wind energy was the main contributing source to Britain’s electricity, accounting for 35% of the mix, a 4% increase compared to February 2023, but lower than the contribution in February 2022 (40%). Gas accounted for 27% of Britain’s electricity mix in February 2024, a 6% decrease compared with February 2023. Solar contributed 2% of the electricity mix in February 2024, a 1% decrease compared with February 2023. Coal and Nuclear contributions remained consistent with February 2023, delivering 1% & 11% of the mix, respectively. Imports and hydro saw a 1% increase in their contributions, comprising 14% and 3% of the mix. Biomass increased by 2% to the 7% of the mix compared with February 2023. More than half (51%) of the electricity generation in February 2024 came from zero-carbon sources, representing a 4% increase from February 2023, but lower than February 2022 (60%). The carbon intensity for Britain's electricity generation in February 2024 was 19% lower than for February 2023. The rolling 12-month average for March 2023 to February 2024 remains substantially lower than the previous two 12-month periods, at 151 gCO₂/kWh. Increasing the electricity generation delivered by renewable sources can help us achieve our Net-Zero ambitions, ensure energy security, and decrease reliance on imports.

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. INSIGHT In the past 12 months, the highest number of solar PV projects were granted planning permission in the UK compared to any other 12-month period (out of the period included in analysis). This number is 54% higher than the second-highest 12-month period. As a result, the electricity capacity of solar PV projects granted planning permission is at its highest of any 12-month period (out of the period included in analysis). Although fewer onshore wind projects received planning permission, they are expected to produce 46% more electricity than projects granted planning permission in the previous 12 months.

Gas was the primary contributor to Britain’s electricity in January 2024, accounting for 36% of the mix. This was an 8% increase compared with January 2023, although this was lower than the contribution in January 2022 (37%). Wind energy was the second-largest contributor, accounting for 33% of Britain’s electricity mix in January 2024. This is a 3% decrease compared with January 2023. Solar delivered 2% of the electricity mix in January 2024, which is a 1% increase compared with January 2023 and its highest contribution for January in the previous three years. Coal’s contribution remained consistent with January 2023. Nuclear contributed 9% in January 2024, a decrease of 5% compared to January 2023, and the lowest level in the previous three years. Imports and hydro contributed 9% and 2%, which is a decrease of 2% and 1 % compared with January 2023. Biomass contributed 6% to the mix, representing a 2% increase compared with January 2023. Almost half (47%) of the electricity generation in January 2024 came from zero-carbon sources, matching January 2022 but significantly lower than January 2023, which had approximately 10% more from zero-carbon sources. Despite this, the rolling 12-average for February 2023 to January 2024 remains substantially lower than the previous two 12-month periods, at 154 gCO₂/kWh. Increasing the electricity generation delivered by renewable sources can help us achieve our Net-Zero ambitions, ensure energy security, and decrease reliance on imports. 

Wind energy accounted for 41% of Britain's electricity mix in December 2023, an increase of 11% compared to December 2022. This is the highest contribution wind energy has made to the energy mix in December in the last three years. Solar energy remained consistent with December 2022, providing 1% of the electricity mix. The contributions from gas, coal, nuclear and imports fell to their lowest levels for December in the last three years. Gas and coal dropped by 9% and 2%, respectively, from December 2022 compared with December 2023. Nuclear and imports fell by 2% and 1%, respectively, from December 2022. Hydro and biomass both saw a 1% increase in December 2023 contributions compared to December 2022. Total energy contributions from zero-carbon sources rose to 60%, the highest for December since 2021 and the highest percentage in the previous three years except February 2022, which also saw a 60% contribution. As a result, the carbon intensity for December 2023 was the lowest for December in the last three years, at 122 gCO₂/kWh, and lower than any month in the previous three years. The rolling 12-month average carbon intensity for January 2023 to December 2023 was the lowest for the last three years, at 152 gCO₂/kWh, and 16% lower than the preceding 12-month period. Increasing the electricity generation delivered by renewable sources can help us achieve our Net-Zero ambitions, ensure energy security, and decrease reliance on imports. To view our interactive renewables map, click here or visit our website at https://www.edenseven.co.uk/

We have released our monthly review of the electricity generation in Britain and the associated carbon emissions. HEADLINE STATISTICS: Gas and nuclear in the energy mix fell by 7% and 1%, respectively, from November 2022 compared with November 2023. Conversely, imported energy and coal rose by 7% and 1%, respectively, to their highest proportions for November since 2021. Solar energy saw a 1% increase in its contribution to the mix in November 2023 compared to November 2022. However, Wind energy’s contribution decreased by 3% compared with November 2022, delivering 31% of electricity generation in November 2023. Total energy contributions from zero-carbon sources fell to 47%, the lowest for November since 2021. Despite this, the carbon intensity for November 2023 was the lowest for November in the previous three years at 161 gCO₂/kWh, likely because of lower gas usage, higher imports and a slight rise in solar energy. The rolling 12-month average carbon intensity for December 2022 to November 2023 was the lowest for previous three years at 156 gCO₂/kWh and 15% lower than the preceding 12-month period. Boosting the electricity generation delivered by renewables can help us achieve Net-Zero ambitions, ensure energy security and decrease reliance on imports.

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. INSIGHT Solar PV continues to account for a significant proportion of renewable energy projects in the UK, comprising 97% of UK wind and solar projects granted planning permission in the last 12-months. Despite this, solar will contribute 50% of the total capacity of the approved projects. Offshore wind, which only made up 0.4% of approved wind and solar planning applications in the UK, will deliver 36% of the total energy capacity of such projects.

We have released our monthly review of the electricity generation in Britain and the associated carbon emissions. We have observed some continued positive trends in renewable generation. HEADLINE STATISTICS: Wind energy contributed 2% less to the mix compared with October 2022. Despite this, wind energy surpassed gas and contributed more than any other energy source in October 2023, making it Britain’s primary energy source. Gas decreased by 9% compared to October 2022; however, imported energy rose by 8% to its highest proportion for October since 2021. Coal increased by 2% in October 2023 compared with October 2022, contributing the highest percentage for October since 2021. Solar contributed 1% less in October 2023 than in October 2022. Coupled with the 2% reduction in wind contribution, the percentage of energy delivered by zero-carbon sources was 3% lower than in October 2022. Despite this, the carbon intensity for October 2023 was the lowest for October in the previous three years at 138 gCO₂/kWh, likely because of lower gas usage and higher imports. The rolling 12-month average carbon intensity for November 2022 to October 2023 was the lowest for previous three years at 157 gCO₂/kWh and 15% lower than the previous 12-month period. Increasing the electricity generation delivered by renewables can help us achieve Net-Zero ambitions, ensure energy security and decrease reliance on imports.