Energy Trends December 2025
Statistical Release 2 April 2026
Energy Trends
UK, October to December 2025 and 2025
Percentage annual change from 2024, primary energy basis
About this release Information on energy production, trade, and consumption in the UK for total energy and by specific fuels.
In this release Total energy
Solid fuels and derived gases
Oil and oil products
Gas
Electricity
Clean Power 2030 metrics
Renewables
Data and special articles
2
5
7
12
15
18
19
22
Technical information 23
Glossary
24
Related publications 26
Further information 27
Data tables Additional data are available online as part of the Energy Trends series:
Total energy
Coal and derived gases
Oil and oil products
Gas
Electricity
Renewables
This publication is based on a snapshot of survey data from energy suppliers. New data are incorporated in line with the revisions policy.
(Mtoe basis)
Total energy
Coal
Production
Imports
Exports
Demand
-1.0%
-2.0%
-1.7%
-1.4%
+12%
-5.2%
-46%
-56%
Primary oil
+2.6%
-9.4%
-2.8%
-6.0%
Petroleum products
-5.2%
+3.5%
-7.0%
+0.2%
Gas
-3.3%
+2.3%
+12%
-0.9%
Electricity
-1.9%
+0.4%
+38%
-1.9%
Output from renewable technologies in 2025 increased 6 per cent to a record 152.5 TWh, and a record share of 52.5 per cent of electricity generation. Wind generation also broke previous records, increasing by 4 per cent and contributing a record 87.1 TWh (and a record share of 30.0 per cent). Solar generation was a new record, up 37 per cent to a record 20 TWh, and a new record share of 6.9 per cent.
Whilst renewable generation increased, 2025 saw nuclear at a record low which nearly offset the growth in renewables. The share of low carbon MPP generation grew slightly from 64.6 per cent in 2024 to 64.8 per cent in
- Despite no coal generation in 2025, fossil fuel generation was up 2
per cent on last year’s record low following reduced electricity imports.
UK energy production in 2025 dropped 1 per cent to a record low, following records lows in 2023 and 2024. Fossil fuel production is at a record low as output continues to decline from the UK’s mature fields. Nuclear output was at a record low but production from wind, solar and hydro increased by 7 per cent to a record high.
Household energy consumption in 2025 was similar to 2024 but remains significantly down on pre-pandemic averages due to a combination of higher energy and other prices and a continued run of record or near record high annual temperatures from 2022. Industrial energy consumption saw a 6 per cent decrease and is at a consecutive record low. Demand for transport increased 2 per cent on 2024 and is 2 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels.
Net import dependency was stable at 43.5 per cent in 2025 compared to 43.8 per cent in 2024. Norway and the US were the principal sources of UK’s imported energy in 2025.
Data for the final quarter of 2025 mirror trends in the annual data, bar a 22 per cent rise in renewable generation with both wind and solar up on the final quarter of 2024. Energy production decreased by 2 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2024, with overall energy consumption levels at similar levels to that seen last year despite slightly warmer temperatures.
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Section 1: UK total energy
Kevin Harris
0747 135 8194
energy.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk
Key headlines
In 2025 total production was 94.0 million tonnes of oil equivalent, 1.0 per cent lower than in 2024 and at a record low level in the published series, and 68 per cent lower than in 1999 when UK production peaked. Production levels for all fuels except coal, oil and wind, solar and hydro are down, with gas and nuclear output at record lows but wind, solar and hydro at a record high. Production in the fourth quarter of 2025 was 2.3 per cent lower than in the fourth quarter of 2024 with production of all primary fuels falling except for wind, solar and hydro.
Energy consumption in 2025 was 0.1 per cent lower than in 2024. Domestic consumption fell by 0.7 per cent with average temperatures in 2025 the highest recorded this century, other final users consumption fell by 0.3 per cent, whilst transport consumption rose by 2.4 per cent. Industrial consumption fell by 6.1 per cent to a record low level in these published data. On a seasonally and temperature adjusted basis, final energy consumption fell by 0.5 per cent.
Energy consumption in the fourth quarter of 2025 was 0.8 per cent lower than a year earlier. Domestic consumption fell by 0.1 per cent, other final users fell by 2.1 per cent and industrial consumption fell by 6.4 per cent to the lowest level recorded for the fourth quarter of the year in the published time series. Transport consumption rose by 1.3 per cent. On a seasonally and temperature adjusted basis, final energy consumption fell by 0.3 per cent.
In 2025 dependency on fossil fuels was 75.2 per cent matching 2024’s record low share in these published data. The low carbon dependency was 21.8 per cent in 2025, broadly similar to 2024. There was also little change in the UK’s net import dependency at 43.5 per cent in 2025, down 0.3 percentage points on 2024

Chart 1.1 UK production (Energy Trends Tables 1.1 & 1.3)
In 2025 total production was 94.0 million tonnes of oil equivalent, 1.0 per cent lower than in 2024 and at a record low level in the published series, and 68 per cent lower than in 1999 when UK production peaked.
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Production levels for all fuels except coal, oil and wind, solar and hydro are down, with gas and nuclear output at record low levels. Production of oil rose by 2.5 per cent, whilst natural gas fell by 3.3 per cent to a record low level. Electricity produced from nuclear sources fell by 12 per cent to a record low level as continued outages affected the UK nuclear fleet. Electricity produced from wind, solar and hydro rose by 8.1 per cent to a record high level, with output from wind and solar up but hydro down on 2024 levels.
In the fourth quarter of 2025 total production was 24.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent, 2.3 per cent lower than in the fourth quarter of 2024. Production of all primary fuels fell except for wind, solar and hydro.

Chart 1.2 Total inland consumption (primary fuel input basis) (Energy Trends Table 1.2)
In 2025 total inland consumption (this includes not only fuel use by consumers, but fuel used for electricity generation and other transformation) was 164.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent, down 1.8 per cent compared to 2024 and down 11 per cent on pre-pandemic (2019) levels (on a seasonally adjusted and annualised rate that removes the impact of temperature on demand).
In the fourth quarter of 2025 total inland consumption fell by 3.0 per cent (on an unadjusted basis) on the fourth quarter of 2024, with gas consumption down 7.0 per cent due to reduced demand from electricity generators as a result of increased output from renewables, particularly wind and solar, as well as reduced demand in the industrial and services sectors.
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Chart 1.3 Final energy consumption by user (Energy Trends Table 1.3)
In 2025 total final energy consumption (excluding non-energy use) was 0.1 per cent lower than in 2024. Domestic consumption fell by 0.7 per cent with average temperatures in 2025 at a record high, other final users consumption fell by 0.3 per cent, whilst transport consumption rose by 2.4 per cent. Industrial consumption fell by 6.1 per cent to a record low level in these published data, with gas demand showing a notable contraction on 2024.
In the fourth quarter of 2025 total final energy consumption (excluding non-energy use) was 0.8 per cent lower than in the fourth quarter of 2024 with average temperatures broadly similar to last year. Domestic consumption fell by 0.1 per cent, other final users fell by 2.1 per cent and industrial consumption fell by 6.4 per cent. Transport consumption rose by 1.3 per cent.
In 2025 dependency on fossil fuels was 75.2 per cent matching last year's record low share in these published data. There was also little change in the UK’s net import dependency at 43.5 per cent in 2025, down 0.3 percentage points on 2024. The UK’s low carbon share was 21.8 per cent in 2025, also broadly similar to 2024.
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Section 2: Coal and derived gases
Matt Laycock
0774 170 1215
coalstatistics@energysecurity.gov.uk
Key headlines
Total coal demand in 2025 fell to a record low of 0.9 million tonnes, 56 per cent lower than in 2024, driven primarily by the end of coal use in electricity generation. The last coal-fired power plant at Ratcliffe-on- Soar closed on 30 September 2024. Coal use has been phased out as electricity generation now favours gas, nuclear and renewables. Consumption by coke ovens and blast furnaces fell to a new record low of 0.2 million tonnes, down 65 per cent compared to 2024.
Coal production in 2025 rose to 120 thousand tonnes, up 12 per cent compared with 2024, but remains at historical low levels. Production was deep-mined coal as the last large surface mine Ffos-y-Fran closed at the as end of November 2023. In the last ten years UK coal production has fallen by 99 per cent. Coal production in the UK is a small component of the UK’s total energy production.
Coal imports fell to 1.6 million tonnes in 2025, 6.3 per cent down compared with 2024. Major importers were Colombia (33 per cent share), the EU (24 per cent) and South Africa (15 per cent).
In the fourth quarter of 2025, demand fell 21 per cent to a new record low of 0.2 million tonnes. There was no coal-fired power station generation and there was no coke oven gas production as all coke ovens had closed. Imports in the fourth quarter of 2025 rose to 374 thousand tonnes, 23 per cent up on Q4 2024.
Total coal demand in 2025 fell to a record low of 0.9 million tonnes, 56 per cent lower than in 2024, driven primarily by the end of coal use in electricity generation. The last coal-fired power plant at Ratcliffe-on- Soar closed on 30 September 2024. Coal use has been phased out as electricity generation now favours gas, nuclear and renewables. Coal use has declined since the early 1970s as more fuels, principally gas, entered the market. Coal demand has fallen by 97 per cent since the end of 2015.

Chart 2.1 Coal Demand (Energy Trends Table 2.1)
Electricity generators Generators trend (average 4 quarters ending) Collieries, coke ovens and other conversion industries Final consumers
s e n n o t n o
i l l i
M
1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.0
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
2022
2023
2024
2025
There was no coal-fired generation in the fourth quarter of 2025. The last coal-fired power plant at Ratcliffe-on-Soar closed on 30 September 2024. Coal use has been phased out as electricity generation now favours gas, nuclear and renewables.
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Domestic coal production has fallen steadily because of coal mine closures and reduced demand. In Quarter 4 2025, UK coal production fell to 29 thousand tonnes, a 23 per cent fall compared to the same period last year. This was due to the last large surface mine Ffos-y-Fran closing at the end of November 2023. There is currently no large-scale surface mining in the UK. Production was up 12 per cent as a whole for 2025 compared to 2024 but remains at historical low levels. Since 2015 UK coal production has fallen by 99 per cent.

Chart 2.2 Coal Supply (Energy Trends Table 2.1)
s e n n o t n o
i l l i
M
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Imports Surface mining Deep mined
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
2025p
Coal imports fell to 1.6 million tonnes in 2025, 6.3 per cent down compared with 2024. Volumes remained historically low due to a steep fall in UK demand for coal. Imports had peaked at 50.6 million tonnes in 2013. In 2025 Colombia was the largest exporter of coal to the UK with a share of 33 per cent. This was followed by European Union with 24 per cent and South Africa with 15 per cent.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, coal imports rose to 374 thousand tonnes, 23 per cent up on Q4 2024. The European Union (41 per cent), Venezuela (23 per cent) and Colombia (21 per cent) accounted for all imports apart from a tiny proportion. The UK banned Russian coal imports in August 2022.

Chart 2.3 Coal Imports (Energy Trends Table 2.4)
s e n n o t d n a s u o h T
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
2022 2023 2024 2025p
EU
Australia Colombia
Russia
South Africa
USA
Venezuela Other
Countries
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Section 3: Oil and oil products
Alasdair Campbell
0751 116 4502 oil.statistics@energysecurity.gov.uk
Anwar Annut
0300 068 5060
Key headlines
Primary oil production in the mature North Sea basin was up 2.4 per cent on last year’s record low to 31.4 million tonnes. Primary oil exports were at their lowest levels and at 27.5 million tonnes were down by 2.8 per cent on the previous year.
Refinery demand in 2025 was down by 5.1 per cent partly due to the transition of the Grangemouth refinery to an import terminal and the closure of Lindsey oil refinery. Net imports of primary oils were down 19 per cent to 16.0 million tonnes.
Production of petroleum products dropped to a record low of 49.4 million tonnes in 2025, down 5.2 per cent on 2024. Demand was stable compared to 2024 at 60.8 million tonnes, with net imports up in line with reduced production to match supply.
Oil stocks were broadly stable at 11.2 million tonnes at the end of 2025 with a fall in primary oil stocks following refinery closures being partially offset by an uplift in other petroleum products. The UK continues to meet its obligation as a member of the International Energy Agency to maintain stocks equivalent to 90 days of net imports
Trends in the final quarter of 2025 were similar to those observed through the year. The overall supply and demand figure for petroleum products was stable overall but refinery production fell more sharply towards the end of the year reflecting the timing of refinery closures. Primary oil production in the final quarter of the year was stable on the same period last year, but both imports and exports were down, again reflecting refinery closures.
Primary oil production was up 2.4 per cent on last year’s record low. Since the recent peak in 2019 production has dropped year-on-year and in 2025 was 41 per cent below that peak. Exports of primary oils have also been steadily decreasing in line with reduced production and in 2025 at 27.5 million tonnes were 2.8 per cent lower compared to 2024. The UK has continued to be a net importer of primary oils and in 2025 with falls in imports and in refinery demand (partly due to the closures of Grangemouth and Lindsey refineries in the first half of 2025), net imports at 16.0 million tonnes were 19 per cent lower than in the previous year.
In the final quarter of 2025 primary oils production at 8.0 million tonnes was similar to the same period in the previous year. The UK continues to be a net importer of primary oils and in Quarter 4 2025 net imports of primary oils were 25 per cent lower on the same period in the previous year. With low production and fall in refinery demand, imports of primary oils were down by 20 per cent.
Total oil imports decreased by 4.1 per cent compared to 2024, but this decrease was driven by a 4.1 million tonne fall in crude and natural gas liquids (NGLs) imports reflecting lower refinery demand. Product imports, on the other hand, increased by 1.2 million tonnes (3.8 per cent). This increase helped to meet stable demand amid reduced refinery production.
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Chart 3.1 Production and trade of crude oil and NGLs (Energy Trends Table 3.1)
The UK’s import sources continue to evolve. Prior to the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Russia was a crucial supplier of road diesel and heavy feedstocks to the UK, meeting a fifth of diesel demand (and a third of diesel imports) on average in 2020 and 2021. In 2025, three years since sanctions came into effect on Russian oil, most white diesel imports originated from the Netherlands and United States, with these two countries providing 58 per cent of the UK’s white diesel imports (and meeting 32 per cent of demand in 2025).
The UK’s product imports are principally sourced from the Netherlands (a major refining hub) at 24 per cent, the United States at 15 per cent, and Kuwait at 13 per cent of petroleum product imports, with the majority of these being imports of jet fuel.
The UK’s sources of crude oils have similarly evolved, but volumes from the United States and Norway continue to make up the largest component of crude oil imports at 57 per cent in 2025, down from 67 per cent in 2024. Imports from Algeria, Libya and Nigeria contributed a further 21 per cent of crude oil imports with substantial volumes also being received from other sources including Canada.
Total exports of oil decreased 4.5 per cent in 2025 to a record low of 45 million tonnes. This was driven by the near-record low year for primary oil production from the mature North Sea basin, and the record low year for product refinery output after the closure of the Grangemouth and Lindsey oil refineries in 2025.
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Chart 3.2 Net imports of primary oils and petroleum products (Energy Trends Tables 3.1 and 3.2)
In Quarter 4 2025, total oil imports decreased by 15 per cent on the same quarter in 2024, or 1.8 million tonnes. Crude and NGL imports decreased by 2.8 million tonnes (23 per cent), while products increased by 0.5 million tonnes (6.7 per cent).
The greatest import sources were, as usual, the United States, Norway, and the Netherlands. Together, the United States and Norway provided 49 per cent of crude and NGL imports, while the United States and Netherlands provided 45 per cent of imported products. Just over 60 per cent of aviation fuel imports were from Kuwait, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
Exports of total oil in Quarter 4 2025 decreased by 1.8 million tonnes (14 per cent) on Quarter 4 2024. Primary oils decreased by 1.3 million tonnes (17 per cent), while product exports decreased by 0.5 million tonnes (11 per cent). As usual, the Netherlands received the most exported oil from the UK – at 42 per cent of the total – because it is the UK’s closest major oil refining hub, while Ireland received 91 per cent of jet fuel exports.
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Chart 3.3 Production, demand and trade of petroleum products (Energy Trends Table 3.2)
Indigenous production of petroleum products dropped by 5.2 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024, to a record low of 49.4 million tonnes following the closure of the Grangemouth and Lindsey oil refineries. The decrease in production affected all major fuels.
Demand was stable in 2025 compared to 2024 but remains down by 9.8 per cent compared to 2019 levels. However, petrol demand increased by 4.0 per cent, and exceeded 2019 by 4.5 per cent. In 2024, petrol was the first transport fuel to recover to pre-pandemic demand levels. Jet fuel demand saw an annual decrease for the first year since 2021 (although this was marginal at down just 0.5 per cent), and total aviation demand is now also being met with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) since the introduction of the SAF Mandate in 2025. Diesel demand (including biofuel) increased by 2.7 per cent but remains 12 per cent below 2019.
In Quarter 4 2025, production of petroleum products decreased by 10 per cent on the same period in 2024. This decrease follows the transition of the Grangemouth refinery to an import terminal and the closure of Lindsey oil refinery earlier in the year. Overall demand remained stable, increasing by just 0.9 per cent.
10

Chart 3.4 Production, demand and trade of petroleum products (Energy Trends Tables 3.4 and 3.5)
UK oil stocks continue to exceed our treaty obligation to hold 90 days of net imports under membership of the International Energy Agency. The UK held 11.2 million tonnes of stock at the end of 2025, stable on 2024, with a decrease in primary oil stocks (following refinery closures) being offset by an increase in stocks of other oil products. Primary stocks at the end of 2025 were 5.2 million tonnes, with a further 6.1 million tonnes of product stocks. Around 85 per cent of all stocks were held in the UK.

Chart 3.5 Crude oil and petroleum product stocks (Energy Trends Table 3.11)
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Section 4: Gas Edward John Beazleigh
Key headlines
0754 250 1108
gas.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk
Gas demand was broadly stable in 2025, down 0.9 per cent. Demand has remained at lows last seen in the early ‘90s for the third consecutive year, due to a combination of near record temperatures, higher energy and other prices, and reduced gas demand for electricity generation following increased renewables. Demand by final consumers fell by 2.7 per cent in 2025. The fall was in the industrial sector, down 7.5 per cent to levels last seen in the 70s. Demand from the domestic sector (households) and by other final users (such as commercial and public administration) declined more modestly, falling by 1.1 and 1.8 per cent respectively. In contrast, demand for electricity generation increased by 5.1 per cent, but remained low by historical standards.
Gas production fell by 3.3 per cent to 332 TWh in 2025 compared with 2024, the lowest output since the early ‘70s, reflecting at least in part natural decline from the UK’s mature fields. Production remained equivalent to just under half of demand in 2025.
Imports and exports increased by 2.3 and 12 per cent respectively in 2025 compared with 2024. The increase in imports was driven by higher imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Sustained imports and relatively low demand in the UK supported higher exports to continental Europe.
Trends in the final quarter of 2025 show slightly more pronounced shifts than the annual picture, with production down 7.1 per cent and exports up 26 per cent. Gas demand fell by 5 per cent in Quarter 4 2025, as gas use for both industrial use and electricity generation decreased compared with the same quarter last year.

Chart 4.1 Demand for natural gas (Energy Trends Table 4.1)
Gas demand was broadly stable in 2025, down 0.9 per cent remaining at lows last seen in the ‘90s for the third consecutive year. Gas demand fell sharply in 2022, driven by high temperatures, record renewable
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output and high energy and other prices following the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Since then, demand has remained relatively low as these factors continue to impact on consumption.
In 2025, gas demand for electricity generation increased by 5.1 per cent from the low seen in 2024, although it remained at levels last seen in the 90s. Industrial gas demand continued to fall, down 7.5 per cent remaining at levels last seen in the 70s. Demand by other final consumers, including the domestic (households) and services sectors (such as commercial and public administration), declined more modestly, falling by 1.1 and 1.8 per cent respectively.
Demand in Quarter 4 2025 decreased by 4.9 per cent compared with the same quarter in 2024. This was driven by lower demand for electricity generation, down 11.7 per cent, partly due to notably high wind and solar generation (see Chapter 5 for more information). Industrial and services sector demand also fell, down 10 and 4.7 per cent respectively, while domestic (household) demand increased slightly, up 0.9 per cent.

Chart 4.2 Production and trade of natural gas (Energy Trends Tables 4.2)
Gas production fell by 3.3 per cent to 332 TWh in 2025 compared with 2024, the lowest output since the early 70s, reflecting expected natural decline. Despite the decline, production remained equivalent to almost 50 per cent of demand in 2025.
Imports and exports increased by 2.3 and 12 per cent respectively in 2025 compared with 2024. The small rise in imports was driven by higher liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, up 24 per cent, though this is on a notably low level in 2024. Sustained imports and relatively low demand supported higher exports to continental Europe. Exports to Belgium and the Netherlands in 2025 increased by 24 and 9.5 per cent respectively.
In Quarter 4 2025, gas production fell by 7.1 per cent compared with Quarter 4 2024. Over the same period, imports and exports increased by 2.9 and 26 per cent respectively.
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Chart 4.3 Imports of gas by origin (Energy Trends Table 4.3)
Pipeline imports fell by 4.6 per cent in 2025 compared with 2024, largely due to lower imports from Norway. Despite this, Norway remained the UK’s largest source of imported natural gas, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of total imports, equivalent to 47 per cent of demand.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports increased by 24 per cent in 2025 compared with 2024, which included a 38 per cent increase in imports from the USA (though LNG imports were relatively low in 2024). The US remained the largest source of LNG in 2025 after overtaking Qatar for the first time in 2022. LNG imports from the US accounted for 76 per cent of LNG imports and 23 per cent of total imports, equivalent to 15 per cent of demand. Imports of LNG from Algeria increased by 56 per cent in 2025 compared with 2024, making it the second largest source of LNG and overtaking Qatar. Qatari LNG imports fell by 4.2 per cent in 2025, accounting for 1.8 per cent of total imports, down from a peak of 39 per cent in 2011.
In Quarter 4 2025, pipeline imports broadly mirrored the annual trends, while LNG imports increased by 20 per cent to nearly 48 TWh. This included a 48 per cent increase in US shipments to 38.3 TWh as Qatari imports fell to their lowest quarterly level since 2009.
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Section 5: Electricity Vanessa Martin
0776 757 3907
electricitystatistics@energysecurity.gov.uk
Key headlines
Total electricity demand in 2025 increased slightly compared to 2024, up 0.2 per cent to 320.2 TWh. At a sector level, domestic consumption and consumption by other final users, including commercial use, increased while industrial consumption decreased.
Net imports fell by 11 per cent to 29.7 TWh compared to the record high in 2024. There was a 0.4 per cent increase in imports outweighed by a 37.5 per cent increase in exports to the second highest figure on the published data series. Lower net imports and higher exports increased the need for UK-based generation, which increased by 1.5 per cent compared to 2024, up to 290.6 TWh.
Renewable generation rose by 5.7 per cent to a record 152.5 TWh in 2025, also achieving a record share of 52.5 per cent of total UK generation. This was the second year where the renewable share of generation exceeded 50 per cent and resulted from record solar and wind generation. There was a large decrease in generation from nuclear which meant that the share of generation from low carbon sources remained similar, at 64.8 per cent in 2025.
At the same time, 2025 saw increased generation from fossil fuels, up 2.0 per cent to 93.1 TWh. This came as the drop in nuclear and lower net imports of electricity led to a 4.7 per cent increase in gas generation.
Quarterly trends in final consumption broadly mirrored annual trends, as total electricity demand rose by 0.6 per cent in Quarter 4 of 2025 compared to Quarter 4 of 2024. Domestic consumption fell by 0.4 per cent while consumption by other final users, including commercial use, increased by 2.3 per cent. Industrial consumption decreased in Quarter 4 2025, down 2.8 per cent.
Record quarterly wind generation at 28.8 TWh drove a substantial increase in renewable generation, up by 15 per cent while fossil fuel generation fell. Electricity generation increased in Quarter 4 of 2025, up 1.5 per cent to 78.6 TWh, in line with the increased demand and a fall in net imports. The increased renewable generation meant that the share of generation from low carbon sources increased to 65.1 per cent, despite a 13 per cent fall in generation from nuclear.
Total electricity demand in 2025 increased slightly compared to 2024, up 0.2 per cent to 320.2 TWh. Similarly, final consumption by end users also rose to 273.8 TWh, a 1.1 per cent increase. Despite broadly similar temperatures over the year, domestic consumption increased on 2024’s record low to 93.5 TWh, up 1.3 per cent on last year. There was also a 2.1 per cent increase in consumption by other final users. Conversely, industrial consumption (including iron and steel) fell further by 2.9 per cent to 79.2 TWh, a level last seen in the mid-1980s.
Quarterly trends in final consumption broadly mirrored annual trends, as total electricity demand rose by 0.6 per cent in Quarter 4 of 2025 compared to Quarter 4 of 2024. Domestic consumption fell 0.4 per cent but consumption by other final users, including commercial use, increased by 2.3 per cent. Industrial consumption decreased in Quarter 4 2025, down 2.8 per cent. Average temperatures were similar across the quarter but lower in December 2025 than December 2024, increasing demand for heating.
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Chart 5.1 Electricity consumption by sector (Energy Trends Table 5.2)
Net imports fell by 11 per cent to 29.7 TWh compared to the record high in 2024. There was a 0.4 per cent increase in imports outweighed by a 38 per cent increase in exports to the second highest figure on the published data series. Lower net imports and higher exports increased the need for UK-based generation, which increased by 1.5 per cent compared to 2024, up to 290.6 TWh.
Quarter 4 2025 also saw a fall in net imports compared to the same period in 2024, down 8.7 per cent to 6.4 TWh. Similar to annual trends, a 12 per cent increase in electricity imports was outweighed by a much larger increase in exports, up by 76 per cent to 4.1 TWh. This was the highest quarterly export value since the end of 2022, when nuclear outages in France led to unusually high electricity exports.

Chart 5.2 Electricity trade and net imports (Energy Trends Tables 5.2 & 5.6)
Annual electricity generation increased in 2025 compared to 2024, up 1.5 per cent to 290.6 TWh. This was in line with higher demand for electricity and reduced net imports.
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Renewable generation rose by 5.7 per cent to a record 152.5 TWh in 2025, also achieving a record share of 52.5 per cent of total UK generation. This was the second year where the renewable share of generation exceeded 50 per cent. The high renewable generation resulted from record solar and wind generation, with both technologies generating 10 times the amount they did in 2015. Wind generation increased to 87.1 TWh, a 4.1 per cent increase. This was driven by increased capacity as average wind speeds were lower across 2025. There was also a large percentage increase for solar, which rose 37 per cent to 20.0 TWh, as capacity increased and average daily sun hours were substantially higher.
At the same time, 2025 saw increased generation from fossil fuels, up 2.0 per cent to 93.1 TWh. This came as the drop in nuclear and lower net imports of electricity led to a 4.7 per cent increase in gas generation. Almost all the fossil fuel generation was from gas, which increased to 91.6 TWh, representing a 31.5 per cent share of UK generation. Gas therefore remained the largest single contributor to electricity generation, 1.5 percentage points above wind. Coal generation ceased in 2024, meaning that 2025 was the first year on the published data series with no generation from coal.
A large decrease in generation from nuclear meant that the share of generation from low carbon sources remained similar, at 64.8 per cent in 2025. Nuclear generation fell by 12 per cent to 35.9 TWh, as outages continued in the remaining nuclear plants. Nuclear’s 2025 total generation was half that seen in 2015, with older plants decommissioned and increased outages across the ageing fleet.
Electricity generation increased in Quarter 4 of 2025 in line with increased demand and lower net imports. There was a large increase in renewable generation and a corresponding fall in fossil fuel generation.
Record quarterly wind generation drove a substantial increase in renewable generation in Quarter 4 of 2025, up by 15 per cent, displacing fossil fuel generation. There were increases in generation for most renewable technologies. Wind rose 22 per cent to a quarterly record of 28.8 TWh, driven by increased capacity and slightly higher wind speeds. There was also a 32 per cent increase in generation from solar up to 2.1 TWh, with increased capacity allowing higher generation despite similar average sun hours. Bioenergy generation fell slightly to 10.1 TWh, a decrease of 4.5 per cent.
The increased renewable generation meant that the share of generation from low carbon sources increased to 65.1 per cent, despite a 13 per cent fall in generation from nuclear. Nuclear generation fell to 8.3 TWh in Quarter 4 2025, as outages continued in the remaining nuclear plants.

Chart 5.3 Electricity generated, by fuel type (Energy Trends Table 5.1)
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Clean Power 2030 metrics
The UK's Plan for Change aims to make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower through clean sources producing at least 95% of Great Britain’s generation. In addition to this overarching target, the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan states that in a typical weather year, the 2030 power system will see clean sources produce at least as much power as Great Britain consumes in total, reducing the carbon intensity of electricity generation to well below 50gCO2e/kWh in 2030.
The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan covers Great Britain’s power system whilst Energy Trends covers UK electricity supply and demand, and UK generation cannot be used as a substitute for the GB targets expressed in the Action Plan. A detailed note on the methodology used to calculate GB’s data in line with the definitions used in the Clean Power Action Plan is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/clean-power-2030-metrics.
Using this methodology, the 2025 outcome metrics are:
I. Clean sources produce at least 95 per cent of Great Britain’s generation. In 2025, 73.3 per cent of GB’s power system generation came from low carbon technologies, down 0.4 percentage points from 2024 due to a lower nuclear share and a rise in gas generation required to make good a fall in imported electricity.
II. Clean power sources produce at least as much power as Great Britain consumes in total. Low carbon generation met 64.4 per cent of qualifying GB demand in 2025, up 0.7 percentage points from 2024 as an increase in demand for electricity was outpaced by a greater increase in clean power output.
III. Carbon emissions intensity of Great Britain’s electricity generation is well below 50g CO2e/kWh by 2030. In 2025, Carbon intensity of the GB power system dropped 3 per cent to 104g CO2e/kWh as coal-fired generation fell to zero, outweighing the impact of increased gas generation.
A more detailed table showing the breakdown of the calculation and a time series is shown at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/clean-power-2030-metrics
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Section 6: Renewables Will Spry
0782 519 4608
renewablesstatistics@energysecurity.gov.uk
Key headlines
Renewable generation in 2025 reached a record 152.5 TWh, up 5.7 per cent from 2024, driven by increased capacity and more favourable weather conditions. This record output was driven by record levels of generation from offshore wind, solar PV and bioenergy.
Renewable’s share of electricity generation was a record 52.5 per cent in 2025, and the second year in a row where more than half of total generation came from renewables.
3.8 GW of capacity was added taking the total installed capacity to 65.1 GW, up from 61.3 GW in 2024 and 9.3 GW in 2010. Solar PV contributed three quarters of the new capacity (2.8 GW), with the remainder largely being offshore wind.
Generation for 2025 Quarter 4 was 42.8 TWh, a new record, up by 5.6 TWh (15 per cent) on the same period last year. Generation was boosted by new capacity and more favourable weather conditions for wind, solar PV and hydro. Offshore generation reached a new quarterly record of 17.7 TWh.
Renewables share of generation was 54.5 per cent in 2025 Quarter 4, 6.4 percentage points up on 2024 Quarter 4 but slightly down on the share seen in Quarter 2 and Quarter 3.

Chart 6.1 Renewable generation from 2018 (Energy Trends Table 6.1)
Since 2018, renewable generation has increased by 38 per cent with offshore wind accounting for 60 per cent of the increase. Offshore generation overtook onshore generation in 2019 and this has continued following the far higher rate of growth in offshore wind (with offshore capacity exceeding onshore capacity for the first time in 2025). Offshore wind tends to have higher generation relative to installed capacity due to newer, larger turbines installed off the coast. Furthermore, wind speeds are often stronger offshore. Renewable generation fell in 2021, partly because wind speeds had been much higher in 2020. Overall renewable generation growth was subdued in 2022 and 2023 largely due to reduced output at two large biomass power plants. Output from
19
biomass resumed to more usual levels in 2024 and 2025. In total, renewable generation reached a new record in 2025, driven by record generation for solar PV and offshore wind.
Chart 6.2 shows in more detail the trends between 2024 and 2025. In 2025 we saw record generation for offshore wind and solar PV, this was partly due to more favourable weather conditions and more capacity (more details below). In addition, bioenergy was at a record level, driven by record plant biomass generation. However, total generation was at a very similar level to 2024. These data remain subject to revision.
Chart 6.2 Change in renewable generation and capacity between 2024 and 2025 (Energy Trends Table 6.1)
Most notable this year is the high increase in solar PV generation and capacity. Generation increased by nearly 37 per cent to 20 TWh, comfortably a new annual record, helped by 2025 having the longest average sun hours of any year in our time series (which started in 2001). Capacity increased by 15 per cent to 21.7 GW. The new capacity included a record number of new installations, including 182,000 domestic installations. At the other end of the scale, 19 large-scale projects supported by CfD (Contracts for Difference) have come online over the last two years, this includes Cleve Hill, the largest operational solar farm in the UK (373 MW). See the solar deployment tables for more details at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/solar- photovoltaics-deployment.
Offshore wind generation increased by 6.6 per cent in 2025. This was driven not only by a 4.6 per cent increase in capacity, but also the resolution of subsea export cable and connection issues which had lowered generation in 2024. Growth in onshore wind capacity and generation was subdued, growing by 1.7 per cent and 0.9 per cent respectively. Hydro saw no new capacity but generation fell as 2025 was drier on average than 2024.
Total bioenergy achieved record generation, though the increase on 2024 was marginal. Within this, generation from plant biomass reached a record high of 27.2 TWh. This was partly offset by falls for animal biomass, energy from waste, and landfill gas which continues to fall in line with declining extraction rates.
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Chart 6.3 Added capacity for the leading technologies (Energy Trends Table 6.1)
In 2025, solar PV represented around three quarters of new capacity. The rest was mainly offshore wind (19 per cent) and onshore wind (7 per cent). This differs to the pattern seen in the last few years where new capacity has been dominated by wind, particularly offshore wind (which accounted for around 30 per cent of new capacity in 2024 and over two thirds of new capacity in 2022).
There was very little new capacity for bioenergy or hydro which continues the trend seen over recent years.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, 0.5 GW of new capacity was installed, the bulk of which was solar PV, this included Clifton Solar Farm (49.9 MW).
Chart 6.4 Renewables’ share of electricity generation – Q4 2024 and Q4 2025 (Energy Trends 6.1)
In 2025 Quarter 4, renewable’s share of generation was 54.5 per cent. This was 6.5 percentage points higher than the same quarter of 2024 and the third highest quarterly share on record, slightly lower than the share seen in the two previous quarters which both exceeded 55 per cent. The large percentage increase on 2024 was due to more favourable weather conditions, new capacity and wind generation in 2024 being affected by outages.
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Data tables and special articles
Data in this release
Data are collected by DESNZ through surveys of energy suppliers. This publication highlights key stories in energy in the UK for the specified period. Additional data are available in the quarterly and monthly statistical tables for each fuel and total energy. The tables are generally in commodity balance format, showing the flow from the sources of supply through to final use.
Special articles
Special articles that explore current topics of interest are available alongside this summary report. Included in this publication are:
Review of solid biomass classifications
Statistical tables*
Data tables available as part of the Energy Trends series:
Total energy
Solid fuels and derived gases
Oil and oil products
Gas
Electricity
Renewables
The full range of special articles is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/co llections/energy-trends-articles
Additional sources of information
Index of Production, published by the Office for National Statistics: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/economicoutputandproductivity/output/bulletins/indexofproduction/previousReleases
Index of Services, published by the Office for National Statistics: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/economicoutputandproductivity/output/bulletins/indexofservices/previousReleases
Detailed annual Digest of UK Energy Statistics: http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/digest-of-uk-energy-statistics-dukes
Tables showing foreign trade flows of energy: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dukes-foreign-trade-statistics
Weather tables produced by DESNZ using Met Office data: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/weather-statistics
Information on Energy Prices: http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/quarterly-energy-prices
*Hyperlinks will open the most recently published table. If you require a previously published version of a table, please contact DESNZ at: energy.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk
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Technical information
Methodology and revisions
More detailed notes on the methodology used to compile the figures and data sources are available on the collection pages for each fuel. The figures have not been adjusted for temperature or seasonal factors except where noted.
Percentage changes relate to the corresponding period a year ago. They are calculated from unrounded figures. They are shown as (+) or (-) when the percentage change is very large. Quarterly figures relate to calendar quarters. All figures relate to the United Kingdom unless otherwise indicated. Further information on Oil and Gas is available from the North Sea Transition Authority at https://www.nstauthority.co.uk/
Table of conversion factors
To ktoe
TJ
GWh
million therms
From Multiply by
ktoe
1
41.868 11.63
0.39683
To
toe
GJ
kWh
therms
From Multiply by 1
toe
41.868
11,630 396.83
TJ
0.023885 1
0.27778 0.0094778 GJ
GWh
0.085985 3.6
1
0.034121
kWh
million therms 2.52
105.51 29.307
1
therms
0.023885
1
277.78 9.4778
0.000085985 0.0036
1
0.034121
0.00252
0.10551 29.307 1
ktoe = thousand tonne of oil equivalent
toe = tonne of oil equivalent
Sector breakdowns
Categories for final users are defined by Standard Industrial Classification 2007:
Fuel producers
Final consumers
Iron and steel
Other industry
Transport
Other final users
Agriculture
Commercial
05-07, 09, 19, 24.46, 35
24 (excluding 24.4, 24.53 and 24.54)
08, 10-18, 20-23, 24.4 (excluding 24.46), 24.53, 24.54, 25-33, 36-39, 41-43
49-51 (part*)
01-03
45-47, 49-51 (part*), 52-53, 55-56, 58-66, 68-75, 77-82
Public administration
Other services
84-88
90-99
Domestic
- Note – transport sector includes only energy used for motion/traction purposes. Other energy used by
transport companies is classified to the commercial sector.
Not covered
Revisions policy
Figures for the latest periods are provisional and are liable to subsequent revision. The DESNZ statistical revisions policy sets out the revisions policy for these statistics, which has been developed in accordance with the UK Statistics Authority Code of Practice for Statistics.
23
Glossary
Tonne of Oil Equivalent
A common unit of measurement which enables different fuels to be compared and aggregated, and equal to 41.868 gigajoules. Usually expressed in Trends as ktoe (Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent) or Mtoe (Million tonnes of oil equivalent).
Indigenous production
The extraction or capture of primary fuels: for oil this includes production from the UK Continental Shelf, both onshore and offshore. Production by fuel is shown in Table 1.1. As with all data in Tables 1.1 to 1.3, these data are presented in either Million tonnes of oil equivalent or Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent. Various conventions are involved in the presentation of these data (e.g. for nuclear production the energy input is the heat content of the steam leaving the reactor) and these conventions are detailed in the Table notes and methodology documents (see link at end of glossary).
Primary supply
Primary supply is the sum of production, other sources, imports (+), exports (-), stock change, marine bunkers and transfers. A breakdown of supply by fuel is shown in Table 1.3.
Primary demand
Primary demand is the sum of the transformation, energy industry use, losses and final energy consumption by the industry sectors including non-energy use. A breakdown of demand by fuel is shown in Table 1.3.
Primary inland energy consumption
The sum of primary supply less non-energy use (Table 1.2).
Final energy consumption
Energy consumption by final user, i.e., which is not being used for transformation into other forms of energy. Final energy consumption is shown by sector and for individual fuels in Table 1.3.
Non-energy use
Includes fuel used for chemical feedstock, solvents, lubricants, and road making material, see Table 3.2.
Imports
Goods entering the UK, e.g. via pipeline from Norway or LNG cargoes from Qatar and the US for gas (Table 4.3) and interconnectors for electricity from The Netherlands (Table 5.6).
Exports
Goods leaving the UK, e.g. via LNG regassification cargoes to Europe for gas (Table 4.4) and interconnectors for electricity to France (Table 5.6).
Transformation
Transformation covers those activities that transform fuels into a form which is better suited for specific uses. Most of the transformation activities correspond to particular energy industries whose main business is to manufacture the product associated with them. Certain activities involve transformation to make products that are only partly used for energy needs (e.g. coke and oven coke) or are by-products of other manufacturing processes (e.g. coke oven and blast furnace gases). A breakdown of transformation by fuel is shown in Table 1.3.
24
Seasonally and temperature adjustment
The temperature corrected series of total inland fuel consumption, Table 1.2 indicates what annual consumption might have been if the average temperature during the year had been the same as the average for the years 1991 to 2020. Table 1.3 shows seasonal and temperature adjusted final consumption.
Primary oil
Crude oil, natural gas liquids and feedstocks. (Table 3.1)
Petroleum products
Motor spirit, diesel, gas oil, aviation turbine fuel, fuel oils, petroleum gases, burning oil and other products. (Table 3.4)
Transport fuels
Motor spirit and diesel for road and aviation turbine fuel for aviation. (Table 3.4)
Electricity generation
Electricity generation represents the quantities of fuels burned for the generation of electricity. The activity is divided into two parts, covering the Major Power Producers such as those generating electricity for sale, as their main business activity, and autogenerators such as those generating electricity for their own needs but who may also sell surplus quantities (Table 5.1).
Fossil fuels
Coal, oil and natural gas. The percentage share of electricity generation by fossil fuels is shown in Table 5.1.
Renewables
Renewable energy includes solar power, wind, wave, tidal, hydroelectricity, and bioenergy. Solid biomass includes wood and wood pellets, straw, short rotation coppice, and the biodegradable component of wastes (the non-biodegradable component is shown as a memo item in Table 6.1). Liquid biofuels include bio diesel and bioethanol, along with new and emerging fuels such as bio LPG (liquified petroleum gas). Biogases include landfill gas, sewage gas, and anaerobic digestion. The percentage share of electricity generation by renewables is shown in Table 5.1.
Low carbon
Nuclear and renewables. The percentage share of electricity generation by low carbon sources is shown in Table 5.1.
Additional information
A more detailed glossary is available in The Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics (DUKES), Annex B, whilst the energy balance methodology note provides background detail on the compilation of an energy balance, as well as an explanation of each of the key energy balance flows. Notes in individual Energy Trends tables and individual fuel methodology notes (see links below) provide further detail.
Coal methodology note
Oil methodology note
Gas methodology note
Electricity methodology note
Renewables methodology note
25
Related publications
Recent publications of interest
Energy Consumption in the United Kingdom (ECUK) Detailed data on end use estimates of energy in the UK: www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy- consumption-in-the-uk
Sub-national total final energy consumption Findings of the sub–national energy consumption analysis in the UK for all fuels, for the period covering 1 January to 31 December, with gas consumption covering the annual period from mid-May: www.gov.uk/government/collections/total-final-energy-consumption-at-sub-national-level
Sub-national electricity consumption Electricity consumption by consuming sector for Great Britain and devolved administration areas. Data are based on the aggregation of Meter Point Administration Number readings as part of DESNZ’s annual meter point electricity data exercise: www.gov.uk/government/collections/sub-national-electricity-consumption-data.
Sub-national gas consumption Gas consumption by consuming sector for Great Britain, and devolved administration areas. Data are based on the aggregation of Meter Point Reference Number readings throughout Great Britain as part of DESNZ’s annual meter point gas data exercise. Data are subject to a weather correction factor to enable comparison of gas use over time: www.gov.uk/government/collections/sub-national-gas-consumption-data.
Sub-national road transport consumption Road transport fuels consumption in the UK at regional and local authority level. Data is modelled and provided to DESNZ by Ricardo Energy & Environment, with estimates based on where the fuel is consumed, rather than where it is purchased. www.gov.uk/government/collections/road-transport-consumption-at-regional-and-local-level
Sub-national consumption of residual fuels Non-gas, non-electricity and non-road transport fuels consumption in the UK. Includes coal, petroleum, solid fuels, and bioenergy not for generation or road use: www.gov.uk/government/collections/sub-national- consumption-of-other-fuels
26
Further information
Accredited official statistics
National Statistics are accredited official statistics. Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.
These accredited official statistics were independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) in June 2014. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics and should be labelled ‘accredited official statistics’.
Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation.
OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.
You are welcome to contact us by emailing energy.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk with any comments about how we meet these standards.
Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR website.
Pre-release
Some ministers and officials receive access to these statistics up to 24 hours before release. Details of the arrangements for doing this and a list of the ministers and officials that receive pre-release access to these statistics can be found in the DESNZ statement of compliance with the Pre-Release Access to Official Statistics Order 2008.
User engagement
Users are encouraged to provide comments and feedback on how these statistics are used and how well they meet user needs. Comments on any issues relating to this statistical release are welcomed.
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third-party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
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27
Special article – Energy Trends collection 2 April 2026
Review of solid biomass classifications Liz Waters
renewablesstatistics@energysecurity.gov.uk
Background
Detailed renewables energy balances are presented annually in Table DUKES 6.1.
Currently there are three categories for solid biomass (excluding animal biomass); wood, waste wood, and plant biomass.
Historically, domestic solid biomass consumption has been allocated to wood, with non-domestic consumption being allocated to waste wood, i.e. classification was based on final consumer rather than the actual feedstock. Plant biomass then includes a wide variety of fuels ranging from wood pellets, energy crops, to lesser used fuels such as paper and sewage sludge. It also includes solid biomass of unknown origin and properties.
Case for review
There have been some recent improvements in data sources which have resulted in better knowledge of the feedstocks. For example, recent domestic consumption surveys by The Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra), have indicated solid biofuel consumption is only around 75 per cent wood, with the remainder being wood pellets and waste (post-consumer) wood.
Additionally, in 2025, the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) launched a consultation on its Standard International Energy Products Classification (SIEC). Following the consultation, a draft outline of proposed categories has been published. Whilst not yet finalised, its overall direction for solid biofuels is unlikely to change considerably.
The SIEC proposal
One of the most significant changes in the proposal is the introduction of an ‘other solid biomass’ category. This will include solid biomass of unknown origin, and post-consumer waste wood. This will be an important distinction going forward between wood that has been used previously for non-energy purposes, and virgin wood or offcuts of wood from either forestry or processing.
In the context of the UK, incorporating the full breakdown in the SIEC proposal will be impracticable. We therefore propose aggregating by feedstock (except for pellets and briquettes) so that fuels with similar properties would be grouped together, and to increase the number of categories in DUKES 6.1 from three to four; wood, non-woody biomass, pellets and briquettes, and other solid biofuels.
The table below shows a high-level summary of the proposed SIEC categories and how they relate to the current and proposed categories for DUKES 6.1.
1
SIEC description Fuel wood Logging residues Other harvested woody biomass Solid wood processing residues Bagasse Black liquor Energy crops Oil plant residues Other biomass processing residues Other harvested non-wood residues Plant husks Plant shells Straw Oil cakes Other biomass pellets and briquettes Wood pellets and briquettes Unknown fuel type Post consumer waste wood
Proposed DUKES categories Wood
Non-woody biomass
Previous categories Wood (domestic) Waste wood (non- domestic)
Plant biomass Wood (domestic) Waste wood (non- domestic)
Pellets and briquettes
Other solid biofuels
Plant biomass Wood (domestic) Waste wood (non- domestic) Plant biomass
Pellets and briquettes will have their own category regardless of whether they are wood pellets or oil cakes, in keeping with the SIEC principle. Current data sources support this, and there is high interest given the large quantities being consumed for electricity generation.
In addition to post-consumer wood, the ‘other’ category would include ‘unknowns’, where the fuel type has been reported as simply ‘biomass’. Fuels which don’t naturally fall into the other three categories such as paper and sewage sludge, would also be included here.
The table below reproduces DUKES 6.1, comparing the published figures for reference year 2024, and using the proposed classifications.
In addition to reclassifying fuels, further work has been undertaken to better allocate consumption across sectors. The data presented should be taken as indicative of the potential magnitude of the shifts across both fuels and sectors. Assessment of the data is ongoing, and we welcome feedback from users which we will consider whilst further refining the statistics.
2
Indicative impact of proposed changes on DUKES 6.1
2024
Production Imports Exports Total demand Transformation
Electricity generation
Major power producers Auto generators
Heat generation Final consumption Industry
Unclassified Iron and steel Non-ferrous metals Mineral products Chemicals Mechanical engineering Electrical engineering Vehicles Food, beverages Textiles, leather Paper, printing Other industries Construction
Other
Domestic Public administration Commercial Agriculture Miscellaneous
Wood Waste wood
Plant biomass
Total
Wood Non
woody biomass
Pellets & briquettes
Total
Other solid biomass
Total impact
Percent impact
934 102 -2 1,035 0 0 0 0 0 1,035 0
403 57 -163 298 34 0 0 0 34 264 177
7
27 143
87
47 40
1,035 1,035
3,290 4,163 -6 7,447 6,014 5,877 4,179 1,699 137 1,433 1,212 522
264 33
48
344
221
1 141 78 0
1,376 152 -152 1,375 118 5 0 5 114 1,257 515
15
353 146
743 715
21 7
4,627 4,322 -171 8,779 6,048 5,877 4,179 1,699 171 2,731 1,389 522 0 0 264 33 0 0 0 55 0 371 143 0 1,342 1,035 1 188 118 0
237 0 0 237 207 203 189 14 4 30 16
16
14 14
1,023 4,163 -6 5,179 5,094 5,094 3,990 1,104 0 85 9
3
7
76 76
1,856 11 -29 1,838 588 560 0 560 28 1,250 549
251 10 3
35
73 174 4 701 230 36 160 275
4,491 4,325 -187 8,630 6,007 5,862 4,179 1,683 145 2,622 1,089
254 10 3
72
426 320 4 1,534 1,035 36 181 282
-136 3 -16 -149 -41
-109 -300 -522 0 0 -11 -24 3 0 0 17 0 55 178 4 192 0 35 -7 164
-3% 0% 10% -2% -1%
-4% -22% -100%
-4% -70%
32%
15% 124%
14% 0%
-4% 139%
Note; These data are highly indicative of the potential magnitude of changes and are subject to further quality assurance. This may result in differences and reallocations when published in DUKES (July 2026).
3
The key differences arising from the proposed reclassification are
•
Industrial consumption has fallen overall as ‘unclassified’ has been allocated across industrial sectors and ‘other’ final consumers, most notably in agriculture, (which has correspondingly increased).
• A proportion of domestic consumption has moved to ‘other biomass’ as the waste wood category in the most recent Defra domestic combustion survey doesn’t distinguish between wood residues and post- consumer waste wood; under the proposed classifications, should this split become available, the former would be allocated to wood and the latter to ‘other solid biomass’.
• Total consumption has fallen slightly following a deeper review of some of the historical evidence which included better data matching with other data sources to remove some double counting. Further work in the space is ongoing, and we anticipate some additional changes as a result of this.
User Feedback
As we are considering implementing the changes to Table 6.1 for this year’s edition of DUKES in July 2026, we are inviting feedback now on the scope of this work in terms of the fuel classifications, and the type of feedstock included in each, bearing in mind increasing the number of categories from three to four is realistically the limit.
If you would like to provide feedback setting out any concerns or issues, please contact us at renewablesstatistics@energysecurity.gov.uk.
4
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third-party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy-trends
If you need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email energy.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
5