Britain Records Cleanest Electricity Production in History as Renewables Soar

Britain achieved its cleanest electricity generation on record in 2024, with fossil fuel contributions hitting an all-time low and renewable energy reaching unprecedented heights, a study by Carbon Brief revealed.

Fossil fuels—oil, gas, and coal—accounted for just 29% of the UK’s electricity output last year. In contrast, renewable sources such as wind and solar provided 45%, marking a significant shift in the nation’s energy mix.

The milestone was bolstered by the closure of Britain’s last coal-fired power station in October, making the UK the first G7 nation to eliminate coal reliance for electricity. The Labour government followed this historic move with a November announcement to ban new coal mines.

Carbon Brief’s analysis also highlighted that nuclear energy contributed 13% of the nation’s electricity, while 11% was imported. Despite these strides, gas-fired power stations remained the UK’s single-largest source of electricity in 2024.

However, wind power is poised to surpass gas as the leading source of electricity in 2025, according to Carbon Brief’s projections.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 81% from 1990 levels by 2035, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.

This transition aligns with efforts to mitigate energy costs, which spiked following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While electricity and gas bills remain high, Britain’s accelerated adoption of low-carbon energy is seen as a cornerstone of its strategy to combat both the climate crisis and economic pressures.