Record Renewable Electricity Output Cuts Gas Dependence
Since the onset of the Iran war in late February 2026, the United Kingdom has dramatically reduced its reliance on imported natural gas—saving an estimated £1.7 billion—thanks to an unprecedented surge in wind and solar power generation. A new analysis by Carbon Brief reveals that renewable sources have produced a record 21 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity across Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) during this period, effectively displacing 41 TWh of gas that would have been imported as liquefied natural gas (LNG)—equivalent to roughly 34 LNG tankers.
This shift has been particularly impactful because global gas prices have remained elevated due to the conflict, making those avoided imports a major financial win for the country. The analysis also shows that gas-fired electricity generation has fallen by nearly one-third compared to the same period last year, hitting historic lows in both March and April 2026.
Financial and Energy Security Benefits
The avoided cost of importing 34 LNG tankers at crisis-level prices amounts to £1.7 billion—a figure that underscores how accelerating renewable capacity can buffer economies from geopolitical shocks. “Amid another fossil-fuel price crisis, the record wind and solar output since the start of the Iran war avoided the need to import 41 TWh of gas,” the analysis notes. This not only saves money but also enhances energy security by reducing exposure to volatile global gas markets.
Moreover, the benefits extend beyond direct savings. By slashing the need for gas-fired generation, wind and solar have helped stabilise electricity prices. In March and April 2026, gas set the wholesale electricity price roughly 25% less often than in the same months of 2022, when prices spiked after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This means consumers and businesses have faced lower and more predictable power costs.
A Transformed Electricity Mix
Perhaps the most striking change is how renewable energy has overtaken fossil fuels in the UK’s power system. Over the period since the Iran war began, wind and solar have collectively generated more than twice as much electricity as fossil fuels—a dramatic reversal from a decade ago, when fossil fuels produced over four times the output of wind and solar.
This milestone is part of a longer trend: wind and solar have now outpaced fossil fuels for a record 15 consecutive months, including the entire winter season of 2025-26 for the first time. The charts accompanying the Carbon Brief analysis show monthly generation from fossil fuels (red) versus wind and solar (blue), clearly illustrating the sustained dominance of renewables.
Record-Breaking April 2026
April 2026 set several other records for the Great Britain electricity system. Most notably, for half an hour between 15:30 and 16:00 on 22 April, a remarkable 98.8% of electricity flowing into the country’s main transmission grid came from zero-carbon sources. This near-total reliance on clean energy underscores the rapid progress of the UK’s decarbonization efforts, even amid global turmoil.
The sustained high output from renewables also meant that gas generation fell to its lowest ever levels for March and April, reinforcing that the shift is not a temporary blip but a structural change in how the UK powers its homes and industries.
Implications for the Future
The findings from Carbon Brief highlight the dual benefit of renewable energy: it reduces emissions while improving energy independence and shielding consumers from price shocks. As the UK continues to expand wind and solar capacity—both onshore and offshore—the potential to further reduce gas imports and associated costs is immense. However, the analysis also serves as a reminder that without continued investment in storage, grid infrastructure, and backup capacity, the system may remain vulnerable during periods of low wind or sun.
Still, for now, the data is clear: wind and solar have delivered tangible economic and security dividends since the start of the Iran conflict, saving the UK billions and accelerating its transition to a cleaner power system.