Electricity generation from fossil fuel dropped to its lowest share last year as sources of renewable power delivered the highest amount of energy recorded in the UK.
The Energy Department said renewable generation hit 135 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2023, although this was broadly in line with 2022 levels as new capacity was offset by difficult weather conditions.
The new data shows its share of overall generation increased to a record of 47.3 per cent – up from 41.5 per cent in 2022.
Renewables also set a quarterly record of 51.5 per cent of UK electricity generation in the last three months of 2023.
This marks the first time more than half of all UK generation came from renewable sources.
Both records were “partially due to a fall in overall electricity demand and reduced domestic generation due to higher imports of electricity”, the department said.
Energy prices hit record highs in late 2022 and did not start to fall until July 2023, forcing households and businesses to cut back on electricity use.
Meanwhile, UK imports “increased significantly in 2022”, the department said, amid a rebound in French nuclear power output.
Less gas, which is the UK’s principal form of generation, was then needed to meet the remaining electricity demand in the UK.
So fossil fuel generation sank to a record in 2023 – the lowest value since the 1950s – with its generation share shrinking to 36.3 per cent.
Meanwhile, the total UK electricity generation fell 11 per cent to 285.6TWh in 2023 – the lowest value since 1983.
As fossil fuel electricity generation fell, wind generation’s share hit a record high of 28.7 per cent in 2023, driving the overall record for renewables’ share.
More specifically, offshore wind saw a jump in its UK electricity generation share to 17.3 per cent last year, compared to 13.8 per cent in 2022.
A quarterly record was also set for offshore wind generation in the last three months of 2023, which was “largely driven by the 0.8 GW in new capacity", the department said.
Despite fewer average daily sun hours across 2023, solar generation increased by 4.1 per cent to 13.8TWh, the figures show.
This total is the highest in the time series and reflects increased solar capacity, the department said.
Green energy sources - in pictures
In contrast, nuclear generation fell by 15 per cent to 40.7said TWh, a record low level due to reduced capacity and “all operational sites experiencing outages throughout 2023”, it added.
But despite this drop, low carbon generation – which includes renewables and nuclear – saw a record high share of 61.5 per cent last year, according to the data.
The figures come as part of a trend which has seen renewables outperform fossil fuels for a third year.
“These official figures show that renewables have outstripped fossil fuels yet again and provided more of the UK’s annual electricity needs than ever before, with wind leading the way as our biggest source of clean power," Ana Musat, RenewableUK’s executive director of policy.
“With renewables, we can strengthen Britain’s energy security with the cheapest sources of new power available for bill payers.
“That’s why we’re urging ministers to work with us to increase the number shovel-ready renewable energy projects which the government could bring forward through this year’s auction for Contracts for Difference auction.
“This will enable us to maximise deployment, strengthen skills and grow new supply chains, as we continue to create jobs all around the country.”
The figures also showed that total UK energy production in 2023 hit a record low of 100.4 million tonnes of oil equivalent.
This was also 66 per cent lower than in 1999 when UK production peaked.
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Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
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Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
What are the influencer academy modules?
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Company Profile
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Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
if you go
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The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
Disposing of non-recycleable masks
Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home
Do not put them in a recycling bin
Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
- No need to bag the mask
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
2019 ASIAN CUP FINAL
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
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Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
