United Kingdom Electricity
Generation (2024)#19 World
268TWh+0.49% YoY
Consumption (2024)#19 World
274.6TWh+5% YoY
Generation Mix (2024)
Fossil Fuels (oil + gas + coal)
(nuclear + renewables) Low-Carbon
33.7%66.3%
Electricity Generation in the United Kingdom
- Net electricity generation in the United Kingdom reached 268 terawatt-hours in 2024 (#19 in the world), an increase of 0.49% from 266.7 terawatt-hours in 2023. This is equivalent to 0.87% of global electricity generation.
- In 2024, fossil fuels generated 33.7% (90.49 terawatt-hours) of electricity in the United Kingdom, renewables 52.4% (140.8 terawatt-hours), and nuclear 13.9% (37.34 terawatt-hours).
- the United Kingdom reduced its fossil fuel use for electricity generation 2024 by 2.6% compared to 2023, with low-carbon sources (nuclear + renewables) generating 66.3% of the total electricity.
Electricity Consumption in the United Kingdom
- the United Kingdom consumed 274.6 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024 (#19 in the world), an increase of 5% from 2023. This represents 0.96% of the world's total electricity consumption.
- Per capita, electricity consumption in the United Kingdom averaged 3,971.7 kilowatt-hours in 2024, equivalent to 10.88 kilowatt-hours per day (#71 in the world).
Installed Electricity Capacity in the United Kingdom
- the United Kingdom had a total installed electricity capacity of 114.6 gigawatts in 2024 (#16 in the world), an increase of 1.9% from the previous year.
- fossil fuels made up 41.8%, renewables at 50.5%, and nuclear at 5.1% of the United Kingdom's installed capacity in 2024.
- the United Kingdom's power plants ran at an overall capacity factor of 26.7% in 2024, with nuclear at 72.5%, hydro at 35.7% and wind at 30.6%.
Electricity Imports & Exports in the United Kingdom
- the United Kingdom imported 43.73 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024 (≈15.9% of consumption).
- the United Kingdom exported 10.33 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024 (≈3.9% of generation).
- This made the United Kingdom a net importer of 33.41 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024.
Grid Efficiency in the United Kingdom
- Distribution losses in the United Kingdom were 26.79 terawatt-hours in 2024, equivalent to 10% of total generation, up from 8.4% in 2014.
Electricity Balance in the United Kingdom
- In 2024, the United Kingdom generated approximately 0.73 terawatt-hours per day and consumed 0.75 terawatt-hours per day. This represents a daily deficit of 0.02 terawatt-hours.
United Kingdom Electricity History (1980-2024)
| Generation | Consumption | Capacity | Trade | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 268 | +0.49% | 19 | 0.87% | 274.6 | +5% | 19 | 0.96% | 3,971.7 | 114.6 | +1.9% | 16 | 1.2% | 43.73 | 10.33 | 33.41 | 26.79 |
| 2023 | 266.7 | −16.7% | 19 | 0.90% | 261.5 | −9.5% | 19 | 0.95% | 3,807.1 | 112.5 | +0.29% | 14 | 1.2% | 33.26 | 9.47 | 23.78 | 28.96 |
| 2022 | 319.9 | +6.9% | 14 | 1.1% | 288.9 | −2.9% | 15 | 1.1% | 4,237.9 | 112.2 | +2.6% | 14 | 1.3% | 15.45 | 20.79 | −5.34 | 25.66 |
| 2021 | 299.3 | −2% | 16 | 1.1% | 297.7 | +0.26% | 15 | 1.2% | 4,399.1 | 109.3 | +0.27% | 14 | 1.3% | 28.74 | 4.17 | 24.58 | 26.17 |
| 2020 | 305.3 | −3.7% | 14 | 1.2% | 296.9 | −5% | 13 | 1.2% | 4,408.3 | 109 | −0.26% | 13 | 1.4% | 22.39 | 4.48 | 17.91 | 26.32 |
| 2019 | 316.9 | −2.2% | 14 | 1.2% | 312.6 | −1.5% | 12 | 1.3% | 4,658.2 | 109.3 | −2.9% | 13 | 1.5% | 24.56 | 3.39 | 21.17 | 25.45 |
| 2018 | 323.9 | −1.1% | 13 | 1.2% | 317.3 | +0.56% | 12 | 1.3% | 4,753 | 112.6 | +4.4% | 12 | 1.6% | 21.33 | 2.22 | 19.11 | 25.7 |
| 2017 | 327.6 | −0.3% | 12 | 1.3% | 315.5 | −1.4% | 12 | 1.4% | 4,754.8 | 107.9 | +5.9% | 12 | 1.6% | 18.17 | 3.41 | 14.76 | 26.84 |
| 2016 | 328.6 | −0.28% | 12 | 1.3% | 320 | −0.63% | 12 | 1.4% | 4,856.1 | 101.8 | +1.6% | 13 | 1.5% | 20.02 | 2.27 | 17.75 | 26.33 |
| 2015 | 329.5 | +0.34% | 12 | 1.4% | 322 | +0.17% | 12 | 1.5% | 4,925 | 100.2 | +0.27% | 13 | 1.6% | 22.96 | 1.86 | 21.11 | 28.61 |
| 2014 | 328.4 | −5.7% | 12 | 1.4% | 321.4 | −4.3% | 11 | 1.5% | 4,955.6 | 99.93 | +3.7% | 13 | 1.6% | 23.24 | 2.72 | 20.52 | 27.45 |
| 2013 | 348 | −1.6% | 11 | 1.5% | 335.9 | −0.43% | 11 | 1.6% | 5,217.1 | 96.37 | −1.6% | 12 | 1.7% | 17.53 | 3.1 | 14.43 | 26.55 |
| 2012 | 353.8 | −1.2% | 11 | 1.6% | 337.4 | +0.35% | 11 | 1.6% | 5,274.6 | 97.91 | +2.4% | 12 | 1.7% | 13.77 | 1.91 | 11.86 | 28.29 |
| 2011 | 358 | −4% | 11 | 1.6% | 336.2 | −3.6% | 11 | 1.7% | 5,293.7 | 95.62 | +1.1% | 12 | 1.8% | 8.69 | 2.47 | 6.22 | 27.99 |
| 2010 | 372.8 | +2% | 11 | 1.8% | 348.6 | +2.4% | 11 | 1.8% | 5,532.8 | 94.54 | +7.2% | 12 | 1.8% | 7.14 | 4.48 | 2.66 | 26.88 |
| 2009 | 365.7 | −3.6% | 11 | 1.8% | 340.4 | −6% | 11 | 1.9% | 5,445.7 | 88.18 | +2.1% | 12 | 1.8% | 6.61 | 3.75 | 2.86 | 28.15 |
| 2008 | 379.3 | −1.8% | 11 | 1.9% | 362.2 | −0.4% | 11 | 2.0% | 5,839.2 | 86.37 | +1.5% | 12 | 1.8% | 12.29 | 1.27 | 11.02 | 28.1 |
| 2007 | 386.3 | −0.01% | 11 | 2.0% | 363.6 | −0.73% | 11 | 2.0% | 5,909.4 | 85.07 | −0.04% | 12 | 1.9% | 8.61 | 3.4 | 5.21 | 27.83 |
| 2006 | 386.3 | −0.52% | 11 | 2.1% | 366.3 | −0.66% | 11 | 2.1% | 5,999.9 | 85.1 | +1.6% | 11 | 2.0% | 10.28 | 2.76 | 7.52 | 27.52 |
| 2005 | 388.3 | +0.49% | 10 | 2.2% | 368.7 | +2.2% | 10 | 2.3% | 6,085.1 | 83.76 | +2.3% | 11 | 2.0% | 11.16 | 2.84 | 8.32 | 27.9 |
| 2004 | 386.4 | −0.97% | 10 | 2.2% | 360.7 | +0.12% | 9 | 2.3% | 5,995.4 | 81.88 | +2.9% | 11 | 2.0% | 9.78 | 2.29 | 7.49 | 33.18 |
| 2003 | 390.2 | +2.9% | 9 | 2.4% | 360.3 | +0.97% | 9 | 2.4% | 6,023.2 | 79.54 | +2.7% | 10 | 2.1% | 5.12 | 2.96 | 2.16 | 32.07 |
| 2002 | 379.4 | +0.61% | 9 | 2.4% | 356.8 | +0.41% | 9 | 2.5% | 5,993.3 | 77.48 | −3.7% | 10 | 2.1% | 9.18 | 0.77 | 8.41 | 30.96 |
| 2001 | 377.1 | +2.1% | 9 | 2.5% | 355.4 | +0.87% | 9 | 2.5% | 5,994.4 | 80.45 | +1.9% | 9 | 2.2% | 10.66 | 0.26 | 10.4 | 32.08 |
| 2000 | 369.3 | +7.4% | 9 | 2.4% | 352.3 | +7.3% | 9 | 2.6% | 5,966.2 | 78.93 | +6% | 9 | 2.3% | 14.31 | 0.13 | 14.17 | 31.14 |
| 1999 | 344 | +1.1% | 9 | 2.5% | 328.4 | +1.7% | 9 | 2.6% | 5,581.5 | 74.45 | +2.7% | 9 | 2.3% | 14.51 | 0.26 | 14.24 | 29.86 |
| 1998 | 340.1 | +4.2% | 9 | 2.5% | 322.8 | +2.2% | 9 | 2.6% | 5,505.7 | 72.5 | +0.4% | 9 | 2.3% | 12.6 | 0.13 | 12.47 | 29.82 |
| 1997 | 326.5 | −0.58% | 9 | 2.4% | 316 | +0.06% | 9 | 2.6% | 5,406.2 | 72.21 | −0.87% | 9 | 2.3% | 16.62 | 0.04 | 16.57 | 27.14 |
| 1996 | 328.5 | +6.8% | 9 | 2.5% | 315.8 | +6.3% | 9 | 2.7% | 5,416.8 | 72.84 | +4.4% | 9 | 2.3% | 16.71 | 0.04 | 16.67 | 29.34 |
| 1995 | 307.6 | +1.7% | 9 | 2.4% | 297.2 | +3.5% | 9 | 2.6% | 5,109.8 | 69.76 | +2.3% | 9 | 2.3% | 16.4 | 0.02 | 16.38 | 26.85 |
| 1994 | 302.4 | +0.77% | 9 | 2.5% | 287.2 | −2.3% | 9 | 2.6% | 4,951.7 | 68.18 | +0.1% | 9 | 2.3% | 16.9 | 0 | 16.9 | 32.04 |
| 1993 | 300 | +0.13% | 9 | 2.5% | 293.9 | +0.48% | 8 | 2.7% | 5,079.9 | 68.11 | +0.89% | 9 | 2.3% | 16.72 | 0.005 | 16.72 | 22.83 |
| 1992 | 299.6 | −0.59% | 9 | 2.6% | 292.5 | +0.32% | 8 | 2.7% | 5,068 | 67.51 | −4% | 9 | 2.4% | 16.7 | 0.03 | 16.67 | 23.79 |
| 1991 | 301.4 | +1.3% | 7 | 2.6% | 291.6 | +2.5% | 7 | 2.7% | 5,066.5 | 70.32 | −3.8% | 8 | 2.5% | 16.43 | 0.02 | 16.41 | 26.22 |
| 1990 | 297.7 | +1% | 6 | 2.6% | 284.4 | +0.76% | 6 | 2.7% | 4,957.2 | 73.08 | −2% | 7 | 2.7% | 11.79 | 0.05 | 11.74 | 25.03 |
| 1989 | 294.6 | +2.2% | 6 | 2.7% | 282.2 | +1.7% | 6 | 2.8% | 4,935.6 | 74.59 | +1.9% | 6 | 2.8% | 13.53 | 0.9 | 12.63 | 24.98 |
| 1988 | 288.3 | +1.7% | 6 | 2.7% | 277.4 | +3.3% | 6 | 2.9% | 4,864.2 | 73.22 | +3.7% | 6 | 2.8% | 12.84 | 0.01 | 12.83 | 23.75 |
| 1987 | 283.5 | +1.6% | 6 | 2.8% | 268.4 | +3.9% | 6 | 2.9% | 4,718.9 | 70.6 | +1.6% | 6 | 2.8% | 11.67 | 0.04 | 11.64 | 26.69 |
| 1986 | 279.1 | +1.6% | 6 | 2.9% | 258.3 | +3.3% | 6 | 2.9% | 4,550.7 | 69.48 | −1.3% | 6 | 2.8% | 4.44 | 0.19 | 4.26 | 25.07 |
| 1985 | 274.6 | +4.9% | 6 | 2.9% | 250 | +4.7% | 6 | 2.9% | 4,415.7 | 70.38 | +0.52% | 6 | 2.9% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24.6 |
| 1984 | 261.7 | +1.8% | 6 | 2.9% | 238.7 | +1.2% | 6 | 2.9% | 4,227.6 | 70.02 | +2.6% | 6 | 3.0% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23.06 |
| 1983 | 257.1 | +1.3% | 6 | 3.0% | 235.9 | +1.1% | 6 | 3.0% | 4,187.8 | 68.24 | −1.3% | 6 | 3.1% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21.21 |
| 1982 | 253.9 | −1.9% | 6 | 3.1% | 233.4 | −2.2% | 6 | 3.1% | 4,145.9 | 69.17 | +0.1% | 6 | 3.2% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20.48 |
| 1981 | 258.8 | −2.3% | 6 | 3.2% | 238.7 | −1.9% | 6 | 3.2% | 4,238.9 | 69.1 | −6.1% | 6 | 3.3% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20.12 |
| 1980 | 264.9 | — | 5 | 3.3% | 243.4 | — | 5 | 3.3% | 4,324.4 | 73.61 | — | 4 | 3.7% | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.003 | 21.53 |
See also
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), International Energy Statistics.