UK Energy Sources Breakdown (2025)

Where is Britain's power really coming from right now? 

The answer to this in 2025 tells a story of amazing progress. We are living through a fundamental shift in our energy landscape.

I thought it would be helpful to share a simple snapshot of what this looks like on our grid today. More importantly, I want to explore what it means for us, the people building our green energy future.

So, let's pull back the curtain and look at what’s actually powering our lives this year.

Notable Trends Every Green Energy Professional Should Know

The biggest story is that zero-carbon is now "normal." This isn't a blip or a one-off good day. It's a structural shift. In August this year, zero-carbon power on our grid soared as high as 62%! This is the new reality, and it’s driving a sustained, long-term demand for green skills.

Here are a few other highlights that stand out to me:

• Solar’s 2025 lift: For the first time ever, solar exceeded 10% of our monthly generation in both April and May. It’s a fantastic achievement that shows just how powerful this resource has become.

• Imports as a pressure valve: Many don't realise that interconnectors to our neighbours are doing some serious heavy lifting, covering nearly 20% of our power in recent months like July and August.

• Coal’s closure is complete: And, of course, the historic milestone we can all be proud of: the last coal unit came off the grid in September 2024. The transition focus has now firmly shifted to clean, flexible power.

Seasonal and Annual Variation

Our energy mix is incredibly dynamic. Percentages swing with the weather and demand. You can see how wind and solar surge in the sunnier months, while gas plays a smaller role. 

The detailed breakdown below shows just how much our grid composition can change from month to month.

Summary Table (Shares of GB electricity generation, %)

Note: These stats are taken from the fantastic monthly reports from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) for 2025.

Where the "Growth Rings" Are Forming in 2025

Based on this data, here’s where I’m seeing the most exciting growth in skills and hiring right now:

• Wind Keeps Britain Turning: With wind power now so crucial, the demand for reliable uptime is huge. We're seeing a surge in roles for Offshore Commissioning Engineers, WTG Technicians, and Marine Coordination specialists who keep the turbines spinning efficiently.

• Solar's Midday Footprint: Solar's growing contribution requires smarter grid management. This is creating fantastic opportunities for Utility-Scale O&M Leads, Grid Code Compliance Engineers, and specialists in Curtailment Strategy who can balance supply and demand.

• Flexibility is the New Baseload: With so much of our power coming from variable renewables and imports, flexibility is everything. This is driving hiring for Power Market Analysts, Interconnector Traders, and Balancing Services Specialists who help keep our system stable and cost-effective.

My Practical Takeaways for You

Whether you are hiring talent or building your own career, understanding these shifts is your competitive advantage.

• For Employers: Think "flexibility first." Prioritise candidates who understand grid constraints and balancing. With imports playing such a key role, experience with cross-border power trading is becoming a real differentiator. Also, with coal now gone, focus on building a long-term talent pipeline in operations, digital, and power markets to keep the lights green.

• For Professionals: This is your moment. The industry needs your skills to manage this complex, decarbonised grid. If you have experience in grid services, data analytics, or asset optimisation, you are in a fantastic position to grow.

It’s a privilege to work in an industry that is so clearly making a positive impact. The data confirms what we all feel, we are powering a greener, more sustainable future, one megawatt at a time.

Let's keep this powerful momentum going.