In 2024, the UK achieved a historic milestone in its clean energy transition, with electricity generation reaching its cleanest level ever recorded.
A report by Carbon Brief reveals that 58% of the UK’s electricity last year came from low-carbon sources, marking a significant step forward in the fight against climate change.
While this progress is encouraging, the road ahead demands even greater efforts to phase out fossil fuels and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy.
The shift toward renewables and clean energy
The UK’s journey toward a greener grid has been remarkable.
Over the past decade, the nation has halved its electricity generation from coal and gas while doubling its output from renewable sources.
In 2024 alone, renewables such as wind, solar, and biomass accounted for a record 45% of the UK’s power. Combined with nuclear energy (13%), the total share of low-carbon electricity reached an unprecedented 58%.
Among renewables, wind energy has played a pivotal role.
Despite below-average wind speeds in 2024, wind power generated 26% of the UK’s electricity, making it the second-largest source of power after gas, which contributed 28%.
Solar energy also hit record highs, reflecting the effectiveness of ongoing investments in renewable infrastructure.
The remaining challenge fossil fuels poses to clean energy
Despite these advancements, fossil fuels remain a significant part of the UK’s energy mix.
Gas-fired power stations remained the UK’s single-largest source of electricity in 2024, generating 88 terawatt hours (TWh), narrowly ahead of wind at 84TWh.
Although coal-fired power was phased out entirely in September 2024, fossil fuels still accounted for 29% of electricity generation, the lowest level on record.
Carbon Brief’s analysis highlights the progress made in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
In 2024, carbon emissions per kilowatt-hour of electricity fell to 124 grams, a dramatic decline from 419 grams a decade ago.
This marks a 74% reduction in the emissions associated with UK electricity supplies, dropping from 150 million tonnes of CO2 (MtCO2) in 2014 to below 40MtCO2 in 2024.
However, achieving the UK’s target of at least 95% clean power by 2030 will require significant additional measures.
Government’s role and future outlook for the UK’s clean energy transition
The Labour government’s energy strategy focuses on scaling up wind and solar capacity to create a 95% low-carbon electricity grid by the end of the decade.
According to the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), this target is achievable but leaves “very little room for error.”
Policymakers must address several challenges to stay on course, including:
- Expanding renewable capacity: Renewable generation has more than doubled over the past decade, from 65TWh in 2014 to 143TWh in 2024 (+122%). To meet future targets, the government must accelerate the development of new projects like the Dogger Bank and Moray West offshore wind farms.
- Improving Grid Infrastructure: Upgrading the national grid to accommodate a growing share of renewables is crucial. This includes enhancing storage solutions to manage intermittent energy supply and integrating advanced technologies for efficient energy distribution.
- Phasing Out Gas: While gas remains a flexible and reliable energy source, reducing its share in the electricity mix is vital. Encouraging investment in alternative sources, such as green hydrogen and advanced battery storage, could help bridge the gap.
- Public and Private Collaboration: Achieving a low-carbon grid will require close collaboration between the government, private sector, and local communities. Policies that incentivise renewable energy investments and promote innovation will play a key role.
Why this matters
The shift toward cleaner electricity generation is a crucial step in addressing the global climate emergency.
Burning fossil fuels is the largest driver of greenhouse gas emissions, and transitioning to renewable energy is essential for limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
For households and businesses, the benefits of cleaner electricity are clear. An electric vehicle (EV) now has lifecycle CO2 savings of 70% over a petrol car, up from only 50% in 2014.
Similarly, a household using a heat pump instead of a gas boiler can reduce its heat-related CO2 emissions by 84% per year, compared to 45% a decade ago.
The UK’s progress also sets an example for other nations.
By demonstrating the feasibility of decarbonising a major economy’s electricity grid, the UK is positioning itself as a leader in the global clean energy transition.
However, the mixed results from 2024 underscore the importance of maintaining momentum and tackling remaining challenges head-on.
The achievements of 2024 highlight the potential for meaningful change, but they also serve as a reminder of the work that remains.
As the UK continues to decarbonise its electricity supply, businesses and professionals in the renewable energy sector will be at the forefront of driving this transformation.
You can be apart of this transformation.
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