Statistics published today (Jan 7) by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) show that wind outperformed gas in 2024 by generating more electricity for the first year ever. Wind provided a record 30% of Britain's electricity last year (up from 28% in 2023), while gas produced 26.3%. December was the windiest month, when 38.9% of electricity came from wind, with record high amounts of clean power generated.
58% of Britain's electricity came from clean power sources in 2024 as nuclear generated 14% and other renewables provided 13.8%. Coal produced only 0.6% last year, as Britain's last coal-fired power station closed down in September.
RenewableUK's Director of Future Electricity Systems Barnaby Wharton said:
"It's great to start the new year with a fresh annual wind energy record. NESO's latest figures confirm that wind is the UK's most important clean power source all year round, outperforming gas - and that role is set to grow as fresh projects go live in 2025. But to meet the Government's target of clean power by 2030, we will need to maximise the amount of new capacity we secure in every annual auction for Contracts for Difference across all renewable sources. This must include innovative technologies such as floating offshore wind, which we need to scale up fast to maintain our position as a global leader in the international clean energy sector. To make the most of this clean power we also need to add more flexibility into the system. This means building new large scale energy storage and green hydrogen projects."
More details on NESO's statistics are available here.
Notes
For further information, contact
Robert Norris, Head of Communications
07969 229 913 Robert.Norris@RenewableUK.com
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