Executive Summary
UK low-carbon renewable power will cross a significant threshold in 2024, overtaking fossil fuel generation for the first full year. 2024 saw the UK mark another significant milestone, closing its last coal power plant and joining a third of OECD nations now coal-free. Across 2024 there has also been a large decrease in fossil gas power, helped by rising renewable energy, low electricity demand and cheaper power imports.
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Key takeaways
1. Low-carbon renewable generation tops 103 TWh, overtaking fossil fuel power
Low-carbon renewable sources – wind, solar and hydropower – reached a record high, generating 37% of UK electricity (103 TWh) in 2024, overtaking fossil fuels (97 TWh, 35%) for the first time. Just 3 years ago, in 2021, fossil fuels generated 46% of UK electricity, while low-carbon renewables generated 27%. Including biomass, which is a major emitter, renewables overtook fossil fuels for the first time in 2020.
2. Third largest fall in gas use in over 10 years
Gas power use is set to decrease by 13% (-13 TWh) in 2024 compared to the previous year, displaced by electricity imports and clean power. This is the lowest level of gas powered generation since 1996, and the second largest annual reduction outside of the Covid-19 pandemic.
3. Wind on its way to becoming the largest single source of UK power
Wind power is close to overtaking gas. It’s too close to call with only a 1% difference forecast, but depending on December’s conditions, wind could overtake gas as the UK’s largest source of electricity in 2024. UK wind power is currently forecast to generate 29% of UK electricity in 2024, totalling 82 TWh, which is 3 TWh less than fossil gas (85 TWh, 30%).
The renewables future is here. This long-awaited milestone is a testament to how much progress the UK has made. It’s time to seize the moment, to cut reliance on expensive gas with new renewables, storage, and grid upgrades. With the phase-out of coal power completed this year, reducing gas use is the next big opportunity for the country.
— Frankie Mayo (Senior Energy & Climate Analyst – UK, Ember)
Read the full analysis originally published by Ember on Dec. 10, 2024. The executive summary is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
