Last updated: 24 February 2024
Next data release date: October 2024
History of the UK Fuel Mix
This article contains a complete record of aggregated, UK fuel mix data going back to the first date of publication date in 2005. This makes it one of the most comprehensive sources of information about the fuel sources used to generate electricity in the United Kingdom. We also provide summaries of the main year on year changes as well as commenting on overall trends. Whether you are looking to analyse recent trends, or delve into historical data, our platform serves as a reliable resource for understanding the dynamics of the UK energy landscape.
But first, let’s take a quick look at the Fuel Mix Disclosure actually is.
UK Fuel Mix. What’s it all about?
All electricity suppliers in the Great Britain are required to provide information about the mix of fuels that are used to generate the electricity they supply to their customers. They also need to disclose the environmental impact of these fuel sources.
This information is known as the Fuel Mix Disclosure and is published annually. Aggregate data for the UK is published by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ).
This reporting requirement was introduced in the Electricity (Fuel Mix Disclosure) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005 No. 391). The disclosure period runs from 1 April in one year through to 31 March in the following year. Energy suppliers must disclose this information by 1 October annually. The requirement only applies where electricity is supplied for a full disclosure period. So, an energy supplier that began supplying electricity part way through a year is exempt in their first year of operation.
Please note that the overall carbon emission levels shown in the tables below will differ slightly from previously published government figures. The calculation methodologies used by DESNZ (previously DECC and then BEIS) changes over time causing discrepancies in the data. To ensure consistency, energyscanner.com has recalculated the figures based on fuel usage multiplied by the respective carbon emission of the fuel, making them consistent and comparable over time. Although the differences are small, the government has, over the past few years, tended to under-report headline CO2 emissions from is own source data. The anomalies are small, but seem to be growing. We wonder why?
DESNZ no longer publish the earlier year figures on their site. So the only place you can find them is…..right here.
UK Fuel Mix 2022/2023
The table below shows the UK Fuel Mix Disclosure for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 3.4% |
| Natural gas | 39.3% |
| Nuclear | 13.9% |
| Renewables | 40.8% |
| Other fuels | 2.6% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 945 |
| Natural Gas | 371 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 795 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 199 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.007 |
- The big change on the year was a 14% drop in nuclear generation share. This was due to the three nuclear stations ending generation across 2021-22 (Dungeness B, Hunterston B and Hinkley B) coupled with a significant maintenance season involving four statutory station outages. Nuclear share dropped 2.2% points to 13.9%. While EDF Energy plans to maintain nuclear output at the current level until at least 20262, it marks a downward step in nuclear generation until new nuclear stations are brought online.
- Renewable generation share grew 5% (2.1% points) to retain a greater than 40% share.
- With coal fired generation also down, CO2 emissions per unit of electricity generated fell marginally, but only by 3%. Although back on the downward path, the figure was still higher than 2 years prior.
UK Fuel Mix 2021/2022
The table below shows the UK Fuel Mix Disclosure for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 3.8% |
| Natural gas | 38.5% |
| Nuclear | 16.1% |
| Renewables | 38.7% |
| Other fuels | 2.9% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 1002 |
| Natural Gas | 372 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 795 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 204 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.007 |
- Although generation from renewables fell 4%, it still retained its position as the leading fuel source for electricity generation. However, this was the first year of negative share growth for renewables since the series began in 2005. (We are counting 2016 as flat). It resulted from unfavourable weather conditions in 2021 which resulted in decreased generation from wind, solar and hydro.(1)
- To make up for the shortfall in renewables generation, both natural gas and particularly coal gained share. Coal in registered significant growth of over 40%. Although coming from a very low base meant coal only took 3.8% of the fuel mix.
- Nevertheless, with the fuel mix skewed more towards dirty fossil fuels, CO2 emissions per unit of electricity generated jumped by 6%; the first increase in 9 years.
UK Fuel Mix 2020/2021
The table below shows the UK Fuel Mix Disclosure for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 2.7% |
| Natural gas | 38.2% |
| Nuclear | 16.1% |
| Renewables | 40.3% |
| Other fuels | 2.7% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 997 |
| Natural Gas | 380 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 797 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 194 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.007 |
- Electricity generation from renewables grew only a modest (6%). However, this was enough to establish renewables the leading fuel source for electricity generation.
- Natural gas accounted for 38% of the fuel mix, experiencing a marginal 3% decline.
- All other fuels, except the “other” category saw their share of the UK fuel mix fall. Electricity generation from coal production dropped a further 31% to less than 3% overall. Nuclear generation share continued to slip and is now almost a third lower than at its peak 5 years earlier.
- Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated fell for the 8th year in a row. The year on year decline was 5%.
UK Fuel Mix 2019/2020
The table below shows the data for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 3.9% |
| Natural gas | 39.4% |
| Nuclear | 16.6% |
| Renewables | 37.9% |
| Other fuels | 2.2% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 985 |
| Natural Gas | 371 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 920 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 205 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.007 |
The growth in electricity generation from renewables has grown at a pace having increased by 16% over the year. It is now the second largest source of base fuel for electricity generation after natural gas, and seems certain to overtake it in the next reporting period.
All other fuels saw their share of the mix fall. The biggest fall in percentage terms was coal at 25% to less than 4% overall. The biggest absolute fall was nuclear at 2.1 percentage points (for a 16% decline).
Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated fell for the 7th year in a row, but only by 2%. Further emissions reductions will require renewables to take share from gas fired generation going forwards.
UK Fuel Mix 2018/2019
The table below shows the UK Fuel Mix Disclosure for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 5.2% |
| Natural gas | 41.4% |
| Nuclear | 18.7% |
| Renewables | 32.8% |
| Other fuels | 1.9% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 920 |
| Natural Gas | 349 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 871 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 208 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.007 |
The main changes compared to the previous year where another increase in electricity generation from renewables (+13%) and falls in the use of coal and nuclear.
Renewables, at almost 33%, are the second largest source of electricity generation behind gas. However, gas, at 41%, remains firmly and stubbornly stuck in the top spot.
Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated fell for the 6th year in a row, but only by 10%. Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated are now less than half the level of 5 years ago.
UK Fuel Mix 2017/2018
The table below shows the data for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 7.64% |
| Natural gas | 41.24% |
| Nuclear | 20.01% |
| Renewables | 29.04% |
| Other fuels | 2.07% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 918 |
| Natural Gas | 357 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 691 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 232 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.007 |
The only notable change on the year was that electricity generation from renewables grew another 20% with each of the other fuel sources falling as a result.
Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated fell again, for the 5th year in a row, but only by 7%. On a more positive note, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated are now less than half the level first published 11 years earlier.
UK Fuel Mix 2016/2017
The table below shows the UK Energy Fuel Mix Disclosure for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 8.5% |
| Natural gas | 44.1% |
| Nuclear | 21.0% |
| Renewables | 24.2% |
| Other fuels | 2.2% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 925 |
| Natural Gas | 359 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 561 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 249 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.007 |
Compared to the previous year electricity generation from coal, the dirtiest of the fossil fuels, fell by half, which is good. However, this was more than offset by electricity generation from gas (+37%) rather than renewables, which also fell by 11%. CO2 emission per kWh of energy produced fell overall by 15% as gas generation of electricity emits 60% less CO2 than does coal generation of electricity.
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UK Fuel Mix 2015/2016
The table below shows the data for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 17% |
| Natural gas | 32.3% |
| Nuclear | 23.7% |
| Renewables | 24.3% |
| Other fuels | 2.5% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 910 |
| Natural Gas | 390 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 440 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 292 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.007 |
Compared to the previous year electricity generation from coal fell by over a third to 17%. The biggest gainer was renewables which grew by 19% to take 24% of the electricity generation pie.
As a result, carbon dioxide emissions per kWh of electricity produced fell a further 20% year on year.
UK Fuel Mix 2014/2015
The table below shows the UK Fuel Mix Disclosure for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 26.7% |
| Natural gas | 29.7% |
| Nuclear | 22.2% |
| Renewables | 19.3% |
| Other fuels | 2.1% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 910 |
| Natural Gas | 380 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 360 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 363 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.007 |
Compared to the previous year electricity generation from coal fell by 21% to 26.7%. Coal was overtaken for the first time by gas fired generation which grew by 16% to 29.7%. Generation from renewables also grew by 16% but remains in fourth place behind gas, coal and nuclear.
Carbon dioxide emissions per kWh of electricity produced fell 14% year on year.
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UK Fuel Mix 2013/2014
The table below shows the figures for the period 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 34% |
| Natural gas | 25.6% |
| Nuclear | 21.6% |
| Renewables | 16.7% |
| Other fuels | 2.1% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 910 |
| Natural Gas | 400 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 420 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 421 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.008 |
Compared to the previous year electricity generation from coal fell by 11% while gas fired generation fell 8%. The biggest gainer was renewables which grew 48%.
Despite this, carbon dioxide emissions per kWh of electricity produced fell only 10% year on year since renewables still only account for a sixth of overall electricity generation.
UK Fuel Mix 2012/2013
The table below shows the UK Fuel Mix Disclosure for the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 38.4% |
| Natural gas | 27.7% |
| Nuclear | 20.6% |
| Renewables | 11.3% |
| Other fuels | 2.0% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 910 |
| Natural Gas | 390 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 590 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 469 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.009 |
Compared to the previous year electricity generation from coal shot up by 32% to take the largest share of the generation pie. Gas fell by an identical percentage into second position. Renewables grew by 23% but from a low base.
Consequently, carbon dioxide emissions per kWh of electricity produced increased by 8% to the highest level in 6 years. Not a year any self-respecting pro-environment government will want to remember.
UK Fuel Mix 2011/2012
The table below shows the data for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 29.2% |
| Natural gas | 40.7% |
| Nuclear | 19.1% |
| Renewables | 9.2% |
| Other fuels | 1.8% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 910 |
| Natural Gas | 390 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 540 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 434 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.009 |
Renewables were again the biggest percentage gainer in the electricity generation mix (+16%) but from a low base. Gas generation share fell and was taken up by increases in renewables and nuclear. This led to a slight (4%) drop in carbon dioxide emissions per kWh of electricity produced.
UK Fuel Mix 2010/2011
The table below shows the figures for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 28.9% |
| Natural gas | 44.2% |
| Nuclear | 17.3% |
| Renewables | 7.9% |
| Other fuels | 1.7% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 910 |
| Natural Gas | 400 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 620 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 450 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.010 |
Compared to the previous year, coal was up, gas was down, nuclear was more or less flat and renewables were up 20% (but from a low base so only gained 1.3 percentage points of the fuel mix).
Consequently, another bad year for carbon dioxide emissions which increased by 9% per unit of electricity generated.
UK Fuel Mix 2009/2010
The table below shows the UK Fuel Mix Disclosure for the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 25.8% |
| Natural gas | 47.7% |
| Nuclear | 18.0% |
| Renewables | 6.6% |
| Other fuels | 1.9% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 870 |
| Natural Gas | 370 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 630 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 413 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.010 |
Generation from coal fell 22% with the other fuels all increasing generation share to take up the slack, mainly nuclear. Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated fell 11% as a result.
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UK Fuel Mix 2008/2009
The table below shows the data for the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 32.9% |
| Natural gas | 43.3% |
| Nuclear | 15.3% |
| Renewables | 5.9% |
| Other fuels | 2.5% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emmissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 880 |
| Natural Gas | 370 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 530 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 463 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.010 |
Trivial changes all around compared to the previous year. Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated fell a pitiful 1%. Nothing to see. Move along.
UK Fuel Mix 2007/2008
The table below shows figures for the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 33.0% |
| Natural gas | 43.5% |
| Nuclear | 16.1% |
| Renewables | 5.5% |
| Other fuels | 1.9% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 910 |
| Natural Gas | 360 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 610 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 468 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.009 |
A shift away from and nuclear in favour of gas fired generation compared to the previous year. Renewables at 5.5% share still not in the picture despite 17% growth. Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated fell a pitiful 1%.
UK Fuel Mix 2006/2007
The table below shows the UK Fuel Mix Disclosure for the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 35.9% |
| Natural gas | 38.8% |
| Nuclear | 18.6% |
| Renewables | 4.7% |
| Other fuels | 2.1% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| Coal | 890 |
| Natural Gas | 370 |
| Nuclear | 0 |
| Renewables | 0 |
| Other | 580 |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | 475 |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | 0.011 |
Small shifts away from coal and nuclear towards gas compared to the previous disclosure period. 2006/07 sees the first baseline publication of carbon dioxide and high-level radioactive waste emissions per unit of electricity generated. History will show that it took 11 years to reduce those carbon dioxide emissions by half.
UK Fuel Mix 2005/2006
The table below shows the data for the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 35.4% |
| Natural gas | 35.9% |
| Nuclear | 21.5% |
| Renewables | 4.3% |
| Other fuels | 2.9% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | Not published |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | Not published |
The first comparative figures show a small switch around between coal generation (+6%) and natural gas generation (-8%) over the past year. Nuclear generation is flat with renewables still emerging from the primordial sludge.
UK Fuel Mix 2004/2005
The table below shows the UK Fuel Mix Disclosure for the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005.
| Energy Source | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Source: BEIS | |
| Coal | 33.4% |
| Natural gas | 38.9% |
| Nuclear | 21.0% |
| Renewables | 3.9% |
| Other fuels | 2.8% |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Energy Source | Carbon Dioxide Emissions g/kWh |
| CO2 emissions - overall average | Not published |
| High-level radioactive waste (g/kWh) | Not published |
This is the first set of UK Fuel Mix information published by DECC (the Department of Energy and Climate Change). Carbon dioxide and high-level radioactive waste levels were not published until 2006/07 which is why they are not shown here.
When reviewing subsequent years against these baseline numbers it is worth noting this. It took a full 10 years before the share of electricity generated from coal sustainably fell below the opening level. 10 years. Just saying.
Want to switch to a renewable energy supplier?
There are a growing number of energy suppliers offering 100% renewable electricity as standard on their tariffs. And many of those are some of the cheapest in the market. Finding a renewable energy deal and switching is very easy to do. Pop your postcode into the box below to compare tariffs and make your application. It takes just a few minutes.
100% renewable electricity with very competitive tariffs. Has be worth checking out.
Energy supplier fuel mix disclosures
The figures above are aggregated data across all energy suppliers in Great Britain. The Fuel Mix Disclosure of individual energy suppliers will vary. To see how individual energy suppliers compare on fuel mix and carbon emissions, follow the links below.
References
2. Investment boost to maintain UK nuclear output at current levels until at least 2026
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– ScottishPower Fuel Mix
– UK Government Fuel Mix Data
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