United Kingdom Electricity Mix
The United Kingdom generated 52.0% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2025, above the world average of 33.8%. Each kilowatt-hour produced emitted about 217 grams of CO₂.
Data year 2025 · Source: Ember and Energy Institute via Our World in Data
How much electricity in the United Kingdom comes from renewables?
Renewable sources produced 52.0% of the electricity generated in the United Kingdom in 2025. The world average was 33.8% in 2025. That is up from 2.6% in 2000. That ranks the United Kingdom 67th of 210 countries and territories by renewable share.
Electricity mix by source
Gas is the largest source of electricity in the United Kingdom, at 31.1% of generation, followed by wind at 29.4% and bioenergy at 14.1%. Fossil fuels together supplied 35.6% and nuclear 12.4%.
Carbon intensity of electricity
Generating one kilowatt-hour of electricity in the United Kingdom emitted about 217 grams of CO₂ in 2025, 53% below the world average of 458 g. At that rate, a business using 10,000 kWh a year would be responsible for roughly 2,174 kg of CO₂ from electricity.
This is an estimate based on the generation mix. For a formal carbon report, use the grid factor published by the national energy or environment agency. Our guide to emission factors explains the difference.
How the United Kingdom compares
Countries closest to the United Kingdom when ranked by renewable share of electricity. See the full ranking, or the CO₂ emissions of the United Kingdom.
| # | Country | Renewables | Low-carbon | g CO₂/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | Liberia | 54.4% | 54.4% | 316 |
| 66 | Suriname | 52.9% | 52.9% | 322 |
| 67 | United Kingdom | 52.0% | 64.4% | 217 |
| 68 | Netherlands | 51.2% | 54.2% | 254 |
| 69 | Cook Islands | 50.0% | 50.0% | 250 |
Frequently asked questions
What share of electricity in the United Kingdom is renewable?
52.0% in 2025. That is up from 2.6% in 2000. Counting nuclear as well, 64.4% of electricity came from low-carbon sources.
What is the main source of electricity in the United Kingdom?
Gas is the largest source of electricity in the United Kingdom, at 31.1% of generation, followed by wind at 29.4% and bioenergy at 14.1%.
How clean is electricity in the United Kingdom?
Generating one kilowatt-hour emitted about 217 grams of CO₂ in 2025, 53% below the world average of 458 g.
Is renewable electricity growing in the United Kingdom?
The renewable share has risen by 49.3 percentage points, from 2.6% in 2000 to 52.0% in 2025.
About the data. Shares are percentages of the electricity generated inside the country in a year. Renewables are hydro, wind, solar, bioenergy and other renewable sources. Low-carbon adds nuclear. The latest year differs between countries and is shown on each page. Carbon intensity is an estimate of the CO₂ emitted per kilowatt-hour generated, including emissions over the life of each power source.
Source: Ember and the Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy, processed by Our World in Data and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence.
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