Great Britain breaks renewable power records in 2025

Renewables deliver unprecedented electricity generation as wind and solar surge — BBC analysis

Renewable power records – Great Britain achieved a record level of electricity generation from renewable sources in 2025, driven by exceptional growth in wind and solar power, according to a BBC News analysis of energy system data. The milestone reflects a significant shift in the country’s energy mix and underscores the expanding role of clean energy in meeting domestic electricity demand.

Wind and solar lead the green surge

Provisional figures from the National Energy System Operator (Neso) indicate that 2025 was a landmark year for renewable energy in Great Britain, with output from wind and solar power reaching levels not seen in previous years. Wind continued to be the dominant renewable source, consistently supplying large portions of the grid’s electricity, while solar generation experienced a notable increase, helped in part by what meteorological data suggest was one of the sunniest years on record.

Experts highlighted that the growth in solar output was particularly striking, with generation levels in 2025 rising sharply compared with the previous year. The expansion of solar capacity and elevated sunshine hours contributed significantly to this performance, allowing solar to play a larger role in Britain’s electricity mix than in prior years.

Contributing factors and broader trends

Industry analysts point to several drivers behind the record renewable figures:

• Capacity additions: Continued deployment of wind turbine, particularly offshore installations, and increased solar panel capacity helped unlock more clean power than ever before.
• Weather conditions: The UK experienced unusually high temperatures and sunshine throughout 2025, conditions that boosted solar generation beyond typical seasonal expectations. Meteorological assessments show 2025 was the warmest and sunniest year on the UK record, with average temperature and sunshine hours exceeding previous highs.
• Coal phase-out: Following the permanent closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station in 2024, the country’s electricity system has become less dependent on the most polluting fossil fuel sources, reinforcing the importance of wind and solar in filling the supply gap. (The Times)

These factors helped renewables not only meet a large share of routine electricity demand but also set new monthly and seasonal performance records.

Context within Britain’s energy goals

The record generation comes amid long-term energy policy objectives aimed at cleaning Britain’s electricity grid. The UK government has set ambitious targets to reach 95% clean electricity by 2030, combining renewables with nuclear power while eliminating coal from the energy mix. Although challenges remain around grid flexibility and storage integration, the 2025 results provide a strong signal that the country can significantly raise its renewable output. 

The surge in renewables also aligns with broader trends across Europe, where cleaner energy sources are increasingly displacing fossil fuels in electricity generation. Analysts note that high renewable penetration helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and exposure to volatile global fossil fuel markets, strengthening energy security and lowering carbon footprints. 

Challenges and next steps (Renewable power records)

Despite the positive milestone, experts caution that record generation in a single year does not guarantee smooth progress toward future targets. Key issues remain:

• Grid infrastructure and storage: Expanding transmission networks and energy storage solutions will be critical to managing intermittent output from wind and solar, especially during periods of low wind or sunlight.
• Consistency of growth: Renewable generation must continue to expand steadily to meet the scale of ambition set by government policy. Deployment pace, supply chain dynamics, and regulatory frameworks will influence the trajectory of future renewables growth.
• Balance of energy mix: While wind and solar delivered unprecedented output in 2025, maintaining grid reliability requires a range of resources, including flexible generation, storage, and demand-management technologies.

The 2025 renewable energy performance marks a turning point for Great Britain’s electricity sector, demonstrating the increasing viability of wind and solar power on a national scale. By setting new generation records, renewables are proving their capability to contribute meaningfully to both everyday energy needs and long-range climate objectives.

As policymakers and industry stakeholders assess the next phase of Britain’s energy transition, the 2025 data offer both a benchmark and a source of momentum, reinforcing the strategic importance of continued investment in clean energy infrastructure and smart grid technologies.