Energy Trends: March 2026
Summary
Energy Trends Q4 2025 and full-year 2025. Renewables reached a record 52.5% share of electricity generation (152.5 TWh). Wind hit 30.0% (87.1 TWh) and solar rose 37% to a record 20 TWh. Nuclear fell to a record low — low carbon share barely moved from 64.6% to 64.8%.
Why it matters
The renewables record masks the nuclear problem. With nuclear at record lows, the clean power share stalled. Gas generation rose 2% as gas filled the nuclear gap.
Key facts
- •Renewables: 52.5% of generation (record)
- •Wind: 30.0% share, 87.1 TWh
- •Solar: 6.9% share, 20 TWh, +37%
- •Nuclear: record low
- •Coal: zero generation in 2025
Areas affected
Related programmes
Memo
## Energy Trends: March 2026
Headlines
- Renewables: 52.5% of generation — record, 152.5 TWh - Wind: 30.0% share — first time nearly a third of GB electricity. 87.1 TWh - Solar: +37% — record 20 TWh, 6.9% share - Nuclear: record low — nearly offset all renewable growth - Coal: zero — first full year without coal generation - Gas: +2% — filled the nuclear gap
What the numbers mean
The renewables record masks a structural problem. Nuclear's decline means the UK must replace clean baseload while also displacing gas. Both are needed for 2030 — neither is happening fast enough.
Gas generation rising despite record renewables shows the system still depends on dispatchable fossil fuel. Until storage or firm clean generation fills that gap, gas sets the marginal price.
Key data
| Metric | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Renewables share | 52.5% | record |
| Wind | 87.1 TWh | +4% |
| Solar | 20 TWh | +37% |
| Low carbon share | 64.8% | +0.2pp |
| Electricity exports | — | +38% |
Source text
March 2026 edition of Energy Trends publication.