The United Kingdom concludes 2024 with a strong performance from its renewable energy sources, marking a milestone in its energy transition. According to statistics published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), renewable energy generated 32.2 TWh during the third quarter, a 6.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023, setting a historical record for this quarter.

The report highlights that 50.5% of the electricity generated came from renewable sources, solidifying a sustained trend toward the decarbonization of the UK energy system. This result was achieved despite slight drops in offshore wind generation and a reduction in average winds, which were offset by the increase in installed capacity in solar and onshore wind technologies.

Growth by Technology

The renewable energy progress in 2024 was mainly driven by the growth in installed capacity for solar and onshore wind energy. Solar generation increased by 9.2% compared to the third quarter of 2023, thanks to the addition of 1.6 GW of new capacity during the year, including notable installations such as Larport (45 MW) and Northfield House (26 MW). This growth reflects the UK’s commitment to diversifying its energy mix.

In the case of onshore wind energy, generation grew by 2.1%, benefiting from an additional 0.6 GW of installed capacity, much of which comes from the Viking Wind Farm in Scotland (443 MW). This technology has shown resilience after interruptions in the previous year.

On the other hand, offshore wind generation decreased by 4.5% compared to the same quarter in 2023, attributed to slightly lower average winds (7.9 knots compared to 8.0 knots last year). However, it remains one of the main contributors to the renewable mix.

Impact on Consumption and Imports

The growth of renewables has not only reduced the United Kingdom’s dependence on fossil fuels but also its need to import energy. Net electricity imports reached a record 8.1 TWh during the quarter, driven by favorable prices on interconnectors with Europe. This energy flow allowed a 6.3% decrease in total domestic generation, particularly in fossil fuel plants.

Total electricity consumption increased by 1.4%, with a notable 4.9% growth in the residential sector due to colder temperatures than the previous year. However, industrial consumption continued to decline, in line with the economic slowdown and closures of large energy-consuming industries.

Outlook for 2025

With 2.7 GW of new renewable capacity added in 2024, the outlook for 2025 is optimistic. The government’s priority is to accelerate solar and offshore wind projects, with a particular focus on strengthening interconnection and storage infrastructure to ensure grid stability in the face of increased renewable generation.

As the UK moves toward its carbon neutrality goals, the integration of renewables remains a key pillar of its energy strategy, demonstrating that the transition to a low-carbon economy is not only possible but economically viable.