SECTOR ANALYSIS

Fuel Type Breakdown In March 2025, gas was the leading source of Britain's electricity generation, contributing 31% of the energy mix, a 7% increase from March 2024. However, this was the second-lowest gas share for March in the last five years. Wind energy accounted for 26%, down 7% from March 2024. Solar contributed 7%, up 3% year-on-year, it's highest contribution for March in the previous five years. Hydro and storage maintained consistent contributions of 3% and 1%, respectively, matching their performance for every March in the last five years. Biomass contributed 5%, the same as March 2024; however, 3% below it's share in March 2021. Coal contributed 0%, following its phase-out in September 2024. For comparison, coal made up 1% of the mix in March 2024. Zero-Carbon Sources & Carbon Intensity Zero-carbon sources delivered 45% of Britain's electricity in March 2025 - 6% lower than March 2024 and the second-lowest March share in the past five years. This decline led to a higher carbon intensity, with emissions at 146 gCO₂/kWh, up 15% from March 2024. The rolling 12-month average for zero-carbon electricity remained at 50%, unchanged from the previous period, indicating stagnation in renewable integration. However, carbon intensity over this 12-month period continues to be the lowest of the past five years, at 127 gCO₂/kWh, and 14% lower than the previous 12-month period. Increasing renewable electricity generation remains crucial to achieving net-zero goals, enhancing energy security, and reducing reliance on imports. Britain's Electricity Summary Charts

edenseven are following trends in the renewable energy sector closely, as decarbonising the energy sector is vital for ensuring a sustainable future and achieving Net Zero. Considering the recent DESNZ quarterly update of the renewable energy planning database, we have produced a consolidated summary of projects in the United Kingdom that have received planning permission. We will continue to release updates each quarter. INSIGHT In 2024, the UK approved 592 solar PV projects , the third-highest of any year in the last 15 years. However, the energy capacity expected to be delivered by these projects is 24% lower than in 2023. 2024 ranked 11th out of the last 15 years for the total number of onshore wind projects granted planning permission. These projects will deliver the lowest energy capacity for onshore wind approved for any year in the last 15 years, and is down 59% year-on-year. Energy capacity from offshore wind projects granted planning permission in 2024 saw a 62% drop compared to 2023, despite the same number of projects being approved as the prior year. Overall, the total approved renewable energy capacity from wind and solar projects dropped by 43% compared to 2023 , with offshore wind seeing the steepest decline. However, the average capacity per solar PV project increased by 50% , while onshore and offshore wind saw reductions of 63% and 62% , respectively. These findings suggest that we are not implementing wind and solar renewable energy projects quickly enough in the UK to achieve a decarbonised energy network by 2030.

In February 2025, gas accounted for 33% of Britain’s electricity mix, making it the largest contributor, slightly ahead of wind energy, which supplied 32%. This marks a 6% increase in gas-generated electricity and a 3% decline in wind energy compared to February 2024. The highest-ever wind energy contribution for February was recorded in 2022, when it made up 40% of Britain's electricity mix. Solar, biomass, and storage delivered the same contributions as in February 2024, contributing 2%, 7% and 1% respectively. Nuclear energy saw a 1% increase, supplying 12% of Britain's electricity in February 2025 - its highest share for February in the past three years. However, this remains 2% below the levels recorded in February 2021 and 2022. Hydro contributed 2% of Britain’s electricity generation, a 1% decrease from its 3% share in February 2024. Coal, which was phased out of UK electricity generation in September 2024, contributed 0% in February 2025. For comparison, coal accounted for 1% of electricity generation in February 2024. Zero-carbon sources delivered 48% of Britain’s electricity in February 2025, 3% lower than in February 2024 and the third highest for February in the last five years. However, the rolling 12-month average for zero-carbon electricity remains at 50%, the highest of the past five years. The carbon intensity of electricity generation in February 2025 was 147 gCO₂/kWh, 11% higher than in February 2024 and the third highest of the last five years. Despite this, the rolling 12-month average carbon intensity stands at 126 gCO₂/kWh, the lowest in five years and 17% lower than the previous 12-month period. Increasing renewable electricity generation remains crucial to achieving net-zero goals, enhancing energy security, and reducing reliance on imports.

In January 2025 , gas accounted for 38% of Britain’s electricity mix, the highest contribution among all sources. This represented an 11% lead over wind energy and a 2% increase compared to January 2024. Wind energy, however, delivered its lowest January contribution in the past four years, comprising 27% of the energy mix. Nuclear and imports each saw a 3% increase, contributing 12% of Britain’s electricity generation. Contributions from solar, hydro, and biomass remained stable compared to January 2024, with solar and hydro each accounting for 2% and biomass 6%. Coal, which was phased out of UK electricity generation in September 2024, delivered 0% of electricity in January 2025. For comparison, coal contributed 2% in January 2024, equal to the individual shares of solar and hydro. Zero-carbon sources made up 43% of Britain’s electricity generation in January 2025 - the lowest proportion for January in the past four years. This was 4% lower than in January 2024 and 13% lower than January 2023. However, the rolling 12-month average for zero-carbon sources reached 51%, the highest of the past four years and 2% higher than the previous 12-month period. The carbon intensity of electricity generation in January 2025 was 168 gCO₂/kWh, the second highest of the past four years. Despite this, the rolling 12-month average carbon intensity fell to 125 gCO₂/kWh - a 19% reduction compared to the prior year and the lowest of the past four years, underscoring progress in decarbonisation. Increasing renewable electricity generation remains crucial to achieving net-zero goals, enhancing energy security, and reducing reliance on imports.

A review of Britain's electricity generation over the past four years, including the contributing energy sources, carbon intensity, proportion of zero-carbon sources and further insights.

In December 2024, wind energy accounted for the highest proportion of Britain’s electricity mix among all energy types, contributing 39%. Gas contributed 29%, which was a 3% increase from December 2023. Although wind's contribution was higher than in December 2021 and 2022, it was 2% below the 41% recorded in December 2023. Imports reached their highest level for December in the past four years, supplying 10% of Britain’s electricity mix, which is 3% more than in December 2023. Contributions from biomass, hydro, solar and storage remained stable compared to December 2023, providing 6%, 3%, 1% and 1%, respectively. Nuclear energy saw a 2% decrease in its contributions, delivering 12% of the mix in December 2024, the lowest level for December in the past four years. Coal contributed 0% after its phaseout from Britain's electricity generation in September of the previous year. Zero-carbon sources comprised 56% of Britain's electricity generation, marking the second highest level for December in the last four years; however, 4% lower than for December in the previous year. Despite this decline, the rolling 12-month average for zero-carbon sources was 51%, the highest of the last four years. The carbon intensity of electricity generation in December 2024 was 126 gCO₂/kWh, representing a 3% increase compared to December of the previous year. However, the rolling 12-month average was 125 gCO₂/kWh, indicating a 17% reduction compared to the previous 12-months and the lowest level in four years, reflecting ongoing decarbonisation efforts. Increasing electricity generation from renewable sources is essential for achieving our net-zero goals, ensuring energy security, and reducing reliance on imports.

In November 2024, gas was Britain's primary electricity source, accounting for 38% of the mix, a 7% increase from November 2023. Wind energy contributed 27%, 4% lower than the previous year, marking its lowest November share in four years. Nuclear, biomass, solar, and hydro maintained their contributions from 2023 at 12%, 7%, 2%, and 2%, respectively. Nuclear's share was 4% below November 2021, the lowest in four years. Coal contributed 0% after the closure of the last coal-fired power plant, Ratcliffe, in September, while imports provided 11%, the second-highest November level in four years. Zero-carbon sources made up 42% of Britain's electricity generation, the lowest for November in four years and 5% lower than last year. However, the rolling 12-month average for zero-carbon sources is 51%, the highest in the same period. The carbon intensity of electricity generation in November 2024 was 171 gCO₂/kWh, an increase of 6% from November in the previous year. The rolling 12-month average dropped to 124 gCO₂/kWh, marking a 21% reduction and the lowest level in four years, reflecting ongoing decarbonization efforts. Increasing the electricity generation from renewable sources can help achieve our net-zero ambitions, ensure energy security, and decrease reliance on imports.

edenseven are following trends in the renewable energy sector closely, as decarbonising the energy sector is vital for ensuring a sustainable future and achieving Net Zero. Considering the recent DESNZ quarterly update of the renewable energy planning database, we have produced a consolidated summary of projects in the United Kingdom that have received planning permission. We will continue to release updates each quarter. INSIGHT In the past 12 months, the UK granted planning permission for 668 solar PV projects, which will deliver over 3,800 MW of energy capacity. This represents the second-highest number of solar projects approved in a year on a quarterly rolling basis. Additionally, these projects will provide the third-highest energy capacity for Solar PV granted planning permission in the UK in the last 15 years. However, this capacity is 20% lower than that of the 994 projects approved in the preceding year. During the same period, the number of onshore wind projects granted planning permission in the UK increased by 50%, while the number of approved offshore wind projects remained stable compared to the prior 12 months. When considering all solar PV, onshore, and offshore wind projects, granted planning permission in the UK over the past 12 months, the total energy capacity declined by 36% compared to the prior 12 months. Offshore wind saw the sharpest decline, with energy capacity from approved projects falling by 62%, while onshore wind also decreased significantly. Despite the total decline, the average energy capacity of approved solar PV projects rose by 20% year-on-year, highlighting an increase in the size of solar PV projects receiving planning permission in the UK. In contrast, both onshore and offshore wind projects experienced declines in average project capacity—down 51% and 62%, respectively.