Wind, Solar, and Bioenergy Power More than Half of UK Electricity

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The United Kingdom reached a historic milestone in 2024: more than half of the nation’s electricity came from renewable sources. Renewable generation totaled 144.7 terawatt-hours, or 50.8% of total electricity output. This marks a 6.5% increase over 2023, with gains driven by wind, solar, and bioenergy.

The shift is structurally significant. For the first time, clean energy provided a majority share of electricity across a full year, signaling a turning point in the UK’s long-term decarbonization strategy.

Breaking down the data behind 144.7 TWh of renewable generation

The UK added 4.2 gigawatts of renewable capacity in 2024, raising the total to 60.7 GW. This expansion included 1.4 GW from offshore wind, 0.8 GW from onshore wind, and 1.6 GW from solar photovoltaic installations.

Quarterly trends reflected seasonal variability. In the fourth quarter, renewable generation dropped to 37.5 TWh, down 6.4% from the same period in 2023 due to reduced wind speeds. Still, renewables accounted for 48.6% of electricity in Q4. Bioenergy generation rose 18%, driven by the return to full operations at biomass facilities in North Yorkshire and Northumberland. Solar PV also reached record output, supported by a 9.9% increase in installed capacity.

Why wind power remains both dominant and vulnerable

Offshore wind continues to play a central role in the UK’s energy mix, but its growth paused in 2024. Output declined 1.5%, attributed to subsea cable issues and below-average wind speeds in the southeast.

Onshore wind partially offset the dip, with generation increasing 7.6% year over year. These mixed results point to the need for transmission resilience and project diversity. The industry is watching closely as new offshore sites come online, including Dogger Bank B and Sofia, which could stabilize output trends starting in 2025.

Solar PV’s quiet expansion amid challenging conditions

Despite lower solar irradiation in 2024, solar PV set new records for generation. This was made possible by a nearly 10% increase in installed capacity, the largest since 2016.

Growth in commercial rooftop and residential installations has been steady. Falling costs, improved permitting, and rising interest in self-generation have supported broader adoption. While solar contributes a smaller share compared to wind, its consistent expansion strengthens the overall system mix.

Bioenergy’s resurgence through legacy infrastructure

Bioenergy saw the largest year-on-year gain of any renewable category, with output increasing 18%. Two major biomass plants that had reduced generation in prior years resumed near-full output. This helped offset wind variability and added critical flexibility to the system.

While biomass remains subject to carbon accounting debates, its use highlights the importance of baseload generation in the short term. The return of legacy plants underscores the role existing infrastructure can still play in energy security.

Energy analysts expect the renewable share to exceed 55% in 2025 if project timelines hold. Ongoing investments in floating wind technology and grid-scale battery storage are expected to play a critical role.

The transition also hinges on policy execution and grid modernization. National Grid ESO’s efforts to introduce real-time balancing systems, coupled with additional interconnectors, will be key in handling more variable generation without increasing costs.

Sources:

• Clean Technica