At 11.30 on 22 April 2026, fossil fuels accounted for just two per cent of electricity supply, or about 799MW, according to data from the National Energy System Operator (NESO).

Another solar generation record of 14,426MW delivered 37 per cent of Great Britain’s electricity and the new record-low level of fossil fuel use, driven by high solar and wind output, means gas-fired power plants generated only two per cent of Great Britain's power supply.

“What was once thought to be impossible is today’s reality: a grid being dominated by cheap, zero-carbon energy. This will become the norm as renewables grow ever faster, powering the economy and driving down prices for us all,” said Chris Hewett, chief executive of Solar Energy UK.

The previous solar record was set on 7 April, at 14,414MW, and previous low for fossil fuels reached a week before on15 April when the share of Great Britain’s electricity being generated by fossil fuels fell to a record low of 2.4 per cent. So far in 2024 there have been 75 half-hour periods when fossil fuels accounted for less than five per cent of demand electricity demand as opposed to 16 in 2023 and 5 in 2022.

---