For the first time in history, renewables accounted for the majority of the UK’s annual electricity generation in 2024, with solar power reaching record highs despite fewer sun hours. The growth in PV output reflects increased installed capacity, which hit 18 GW in February 2025, according to the latest government figures.
More than half of the UK’s electricity generation in 2024 came from renewables, marking a historic milestone. Renewable energy generation increased by 7% compared to 2023, reaching a record 144.7 TWh—accounting for 50.8% of total electricity generation. When nuclear power is included, low-carbon energy sources contributed to 65% of the total.
According to the latest energy trends report from the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), solar power generation rose by 6.5% in 2024, producing 14.8 TWh of electricity. Wind power increased by 2.1% to 84.1 TWh, while bioenergy saw a significant 18% rise to 40.1 TWh. Meanwhile, fossil fuel generation dropped by 16% to 89.7 TWh.
Despite lower average daily sun hours, solar PV set a new record due to increased installed capacity. The UK’s total solar capacity reached 18 GW by February 2025, reflecting a 1.1 GW increase from February 2024.
However, government deployment data indicates a slower start to 2025 compared to the previous year. DESNZ notes that these statistics are provisional and subject to revision.
Residential solar installations accounted for 73% of new installations in February 2025, adding 58 MW of capacity. Although residential systems make up the majority of installations, they only represent 30% of total deployed capacity.
At the current pace, the UK is at risk of missing its 2030 solar deployment target. The government aims for at least 45 GW of solar capacity by 2030, requiring an additional 27 GW over the next five years—a nearly fivefold increase compared to 2024’s deployment rate.
Solar capacity additions are expected to accelerate in the coming months, driven by a growing pipeline of utility-scale projects and increased government investment in solar deployment.
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