Renewables output in 2023 enough to power all UK homes

The analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit’s (ECIU) Power Tracker shows that power generated by wind, hydro and solar is estimated to have reached over 90TWh, claimed to be sufficient to meet the UK’s domestic electricity demand. Generating the same amount of power using gas-fired power stations would have required over 180TWh of gas, according to the ECIU, equivalent to the volume needed to heat 15.5 million UK homes over the course of a year.

Despite this, the UK remains Europe’s most gas-dependent country, with 40 per cent of electricity and 85 per cent of home heating coming from the fossil fuel. Combined with inefficient housing stock, this dependence has given rise to the steep rise in energy bills in recent years, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent gas prices spiralling upwards.

“Every turn of an offshore wind turbine’s blades reduces our dependence on gas,” said Jess Ralston, head of Energy at ECIU.