How is the UK’s energy mix changing?

What do we mean by energy mix?

The UK’s energy mix describes the range of energy sources used to meet the country’s energy needs, for electricity, heat, transport and industry, and how these have changed over time. Historically, the UK relied heavily on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, but in recent years, renewable energy sources have become increasingly important.

Fossil Fuels: Past dominance and recent decline

For many decades, fossil fuels were the backbone of the UK’s energy system. Natural gas and oil provided a large share of energy because of North Sea production and established infrastructure. Coal, once a major contributor, has now been almost entirely phased out — the last coal-fired power station closed in 2024, marking a historic shift away from coal in electricity generation.

Recent official data shows that the share of fossil fuels in the UK’s energy mix has fallen significantly. By the mid-2020s, fossil fuels accounted for a substantially smaller share of electricity generation than in the early 2010s, with gas remaining the largest.

The Rise of Renewables

Renewable energy sources, particularly wind (onshore and offshore) and solar, have grown rapidly in importance. According to the latest energy system data:

• Renewables supplied around 44.9% of UK electricity generation in recent years. Wind power alone accounted for the largest share of this. It is worth noting that wind production is higher in winter than in summer.
• Wind, solar and hydro combined have generated record levels of electricity, often exceeding fossil fuel generation and contributing to lower carbon intensity.
• Some reports suggest that renewables accounted for more than half of the UK’s electricity generation in recent years, reflecting a trend towards low-carbon sources.

When examining energy consumption by source, it is clear that fossil fuels remain dominant, as shown in the graph below. However, there has been a clear decline in the use of fossil fuels since 2005, accompanied by an increase in renewable energy.

These increases reflect policy support, technology improvements and investment in renewable infrastructure such as offshore wind farms.

Current Patterns in the UK Energy Mix

Although figures vary slightly by source and how the mix is measured (electricity generation vs total energy consumption), key themes are clear:

• In recent years, renewable and low-carbon sources have generated more electricity than fossil fuels.
• Gas remains the largest single source of electricity from fossil fuels, though its share has fallen compared with a decade ago.
• Nuclear continues to contribute a significant share of low-carbon energy.

Overall, the UK is moving towards a cleaner, more diversified mix, with a stronger emphasis on renewables and a lower reliance on fossil fuels than in the recent past.

What This Means for the UK

The shift in the UK’s energy mix reflects wider economic, technological and policy changes:

• Energy security has improved through domestic renewable generation and reduced dependence on imported fuels.
• Carbon emissions from power generation have fallen as fossil fuel use declines.
• Continued investment in offshore wind, solar and low-carbon technologies is expected to push the UK towards its net-zero climate targets.

However, challenges remain, including grid capacity, the need for energy storage solutions, and balancing intermittent renewable energy output with demand.