Britain achieved its cleanest electricity generation on record last year, with fossil fuel output reaching an all-time low and renewables hitting a record high, according to a study. In 2024, oil, gas, and coal together accounted for 29% of the UK’s electricity, while renewables, including wind and solar power, made up 45%, as reported by climate and energy website Carbon Brief.
The UK became the first G7 nation to end its reliance on fossil fuels for electricity when its last coal-fired power station closed in October. Following this, the Labour government announced plans to ban new coal mines in November.
Carbon Brief also noted that nuclear energy contributed 13% to Britain’s electricity supply last year, while 11% was imported. Gas-fired power stations remained the largest single source of electricity, though forecasts suggest that wind power will likely surpass gas generation this year.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has committed to reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 81% from 1990 levels by 2035, as part of a broader goal to reach net zero by 2050.
The UK has been at the forefront of transitioning to low-carbon energy, driven partly by the need to tackle high domestic electricity and gas prices, which soared following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, triggering a cost-of-living crisis. Energy bills continue to remain high in the UK as the country faces freezing temperatures at the start of the year.
