Renewable electricity output in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Renewable electricity output was 40.2% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Renewable electricity output in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 1990–2021
Source: IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, International Energy Agency (IEA). Measured in % of total electricity output.
Analysis
In 2021, renewable electricity output in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland stood at 40.2%.
The figure is down 8.4% on the previous year and up 288.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, renewable electricity output in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 43.9% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 1.6%, in 1996.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 74th of 210 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Renewable electricity output in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year
| Year | % of total electricity output | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1.8% | — |
| 1991 | 1.6% | -9.3% |
| 1992 | 2.0% | +21.0% |
| 1993 | 1.8% | -11.3% |
| 1994 | 2.1% | +20.4% |
| 1995 | 2.1% | -3.4% |
| 1996 | 1.6% | -21.2% |
| 1997 | 2.0% | +22.3% |
| 1998 | 2.4% | +20.4% |
| 1999 | 2.6% | +9.5% |
| 2000 | 3.4% | +28.6% |
| 2001 | 3.1% | -7.4% |
| 2002 | 3.6% | +14.4% |
| 2003 | 3.4% | -5.8% |
| 2004 | 4.3% | +27.1% |
| 2005 | 5.0% | +17.0% |
| 2006 | 5.5% | +10.8% |
| 2007 | 5.9% | +7.4% |
| 2008 | 6.8% | +14.1% |
| 2009 | 7.8% | +15.0% |
| 2010 | 7.7% | -1.6% |
| 2011 | 10.4% | +35.2% |
| 2012 | 12.1% | +17.2% |
| 2013 | 15.7% | +29.0% |
| 2014 | 20.0% | +27.4% |
| 2015 | 25.5% | +27.6% |
| 2016 | 25.5% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 30.2% | +18.3% |
| 2018 | 33.8% | +12.0% |
| 2019 | 37.5% | +11.1% |
| 2020 | 43.9% | +17.0% |
| 2021 | 40.2% | -8.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.0% | 1.6% | 2.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.9% | 3.1% | 7.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 21.8% | 7.7% | 37.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 42.0% | 40.2% | 43.9% | 2 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
More energy & mining data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate -1.3 % change on previous year (2025)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel imports 8.2% (2025)
All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →
Frequently asked questions
- What is renewable electricity output in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Renewable electricity output in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 40.2% in 2021, according to IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, International Energy Agency (IEA).
- What is the highest renewable electricity output recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 43.9% in 2020.
- What is the lowest renewable electricity output recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.6% in 1996.
- How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for renewable electricity output?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 74th out of 210 countries with data for 2021.
- Is renewable electricity output rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 288.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, International Energy Agency (IEA), published as part of Renewable electricity output (% of total electricity output). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Renewable electricity is the share of electricity generated by renewable power plants in total electricity generated by all types of plants.