New government statistics confirm renewables generated a record 52.5% of the UK’s electricity in 2025, marking the second consecutive year above 50% and up from 50.4% in 2024.
The figures appear in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s latest Energy Trends report, covering the full year for the first time. Clean power output reached a new high of 152.5 TWh, a 5.7% rise from 144.3 TWh in 2024.
Wind drove the gains, hitting a record 30% share (87.1 TWh), up from 29.2% (83.6 TWh). Offshore wind set its own mark at 17.9% (52 TWh), while onshore contributed 12.1% (35.1 TWh). Wind accounted for 57.1% of all renewable generation.
Solar also peaked at 6.9% (20 TWh), up sharply from 5.1% (14.6 TWh), thanks to capacity growth and higher sunshine hours.
Nuclear output fell 12% to 35.9 TWh (12.3% share) from 40.6 TWh, hit by ageing plant outages and decommissioning. Low-carbon sources (renewables plus nuclear) held steady at 64.8% (188.3 TWh).
Gas rose slightly to 31.5% (91.5 TWh) from 30.5%, with fossil fuels at 32% overall. Coal generation ended in 2024.
RenewableUK’s Tara Singh said the figures confirm renewables are now firmly established as the backbone of Britain’s power system.
“These figures show renewables have supplied most of the UK’s electricity for the second year running, with wind continuing to do the heavy lifting. That matters for bills because low-cost renewables reduce our reliance on gas, which still sets electricity prices most of the time and remains vulnerable to sudden spikes.
“With the next renewables auction opening in July – and more than twice the offshore wind capacity eligible compared with the last round – there is a real opportunity to secure more low-cost, home-grown power. The Government should be ambitious on the budget and parameters for the upcoming auction.”
The report highlights steady progress driven primarily by capacity growth rather than favourable weather conditions, although declining nuclear output offset some of the gains in the overall low-carbon share of the electricity mix.
