UK Wind and Solar Generation Hits Record Levels Amid Gas Price Spike

The UK has managed to avoid £5.9 billion in gas imports since the start of the Hormuz crisis thanks to record generation from wind and solar power, according to analysis by Carbon Brief.

This unprecedented clean-power generation is directly cutting the need for gas-fired electricity, which has decreased by nearly 10% year-on-year in 2026. Wind and solar have generated a record 41% share of the UK's electricity needs this year, compared to 25% from gas.

The avoided gas imports would require over 100 additional tanker deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG), with a £1.3 billion import saving in September alone due to surging gas prices. Wholesale gas prices have remained elevated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, averaging 90p per therm until this year before rising to 134p and now 189p per therm.

As winter approaches, high demand for heating is causing UK gas prices to spike again, with European gas stocks at low levels. This has led to a competition between Europe and Asia for LNG shipments, further increasing the price. In contrast, household electricity bills have barely increased due to growing generation from clean-energy sources.