Statistics from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero suggest a new record for renewable power generation for January-March 2026.
43.7 terawatt hours of electricity came from renewables in January to March 2026, up 18% on the previous year.
Steve Gummer, partner and head of net zero at law firm Sharpe Pritchard said, “This is a remarkable record and one that should be recognised as the result of sustained Government commitment and the work of a huge number of dedicated people across the public and private sectors.
“But it is not job done. At best it’s half time or a first half hydration break! Demand for power is going to rise, not least from data centres, electric vehicles and the wider electrification of the economy. That means we need to keep expanding renewable generation, but also move faster on the legal, planning and regulatory frameworks that allow the grid, storage and interconnection to be built at pace.
“The fact that more than 10 TWh of renewable power was curtailed in Great Britain last year shows the next challenge very clearly. We are increasingly able to generate clean power, but we also need the infrastructure to move it to where it is needed, when it is needed, so that renewable electricity is not wasted. The clean power transition is now as much about delivery, consenting and system integration as it is about generation.”
The statistics are available here.
