The United Kingdom generated a total 33.55 TWh of electricity in the first five months of this year, down for the third consecutive year and notching the lowest level for the same period in the past nine years, Reuters reported, citing data from Ember, an energy think tank.

 

UK power producers decreased the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation by 16% from a year ago in January-May. CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use in the sector dropped 14% year on year during the same period, higher than the 10% reduction recorded by Europe's power sector.

 

Power generators increased their clean energy output by 10%, resulting in a record average share of 66.1% of total electricity generation from clean sources, compared to less than 61% in 2023. The share in clean electricity generation surpassed the European average at 63% and was much higher than countries like Germany at 59% and Italy at 54%, data showed.

 

However, the total electricity output in the country decreased by nearly 2% year on year during January-May despite the progress in clean energy, reaching the lowest in at least nine years.

 

Some of that decline in overall electricity supply from utilities has been offset by consumers' improved energy efficiency measures and more solar generation systems in UK households and businesses.

 

Sluggish manufacturing activity has also dampened power demand, with UK enterprises grappling with subdued consumer demand across Europe and other challenges from changing trade terms after Brexit.

 

Additionally, the UK has also faced challenges in clean power generation during the summer months due to lower wind speeds, which may require power producers to rely on fossil fuel generation, particularly natural gas.

 

Wind power was the predominant source of electricity from January to May, surpassing natural gas generation by approximately 20%, according to LSEG.

 

Despite an 11% increase in total wind generation during this period compared to the same months last year, wind generation typically drops in summer due to lower wind speeds.

 

Ember's data showed that wind electricity output in June, July, and August was, on average, 40% lower than in January through March in 2023.

 

While the current situation suggests a potential decline in overall power supplies if wind generation slumps, the UK's power system is expected to become even cleaner in the long run, backed by the phase-out of outdated fossil fuel power stations and the addition of more renewables capacity.