The UK has avoided spending a staggering £1.7 billion on gas imports since the Iran war began in late February 2026, thanks to record-breaking generation from wind and solar power. According to a new analysis by Carbon Brief, renewable energy sources have slashed the need for gas-fired electricity, marking a historic shift in the nation's power mix. Below, we answer key questions about this energy milestone.
1. How much money did wind and solar save the UK on gas imports since the Iran war started?
Wind and solar power saved the UK approximately £1.7 billion in gas import costs between the end of February 2026 and late April 2026. This saving came from avoiding the need to import 41 terawatt-hours (TWh) of natural gas—roughly the equivalent of 34 tankers of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The analysis by Carbon Brief highlights that record renewable generation during this period offset a significant portion of the gas that would have otherwise been purchased on volatile global markets, which saw prices spike due to the conflict. The £1.7 billion figure reflects the high cost of gas triggered by the Iran war, making the savings even more substantial. Without this renewable output, UK households and businesses would have faced even higher energy bills.
2. What records did wind and solar achieve in electricity generation during this time?
Between March and April 2026, wind and solar together generated a record 21 TWh of electricity on Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales). This surpassed all previous highs for any comparable period. In fact, monthly generation from renewables broke records in both March and April, pushing fossil fuel generation to historic lows. Notably, wind and solar produced more than twice as much electricity as fossil fuels over the entire period since the Iran war began. This represents a dramatic reversal from just a decade earlier, when fossil fuels generated over four times as much power as renewables. The surge underscores how rapidly the UK's electricity system is decarbonizing, with renewables now dominating the grid.
3. How has gas-fired electricity generation changed since the conflict started?
Gas-fired electricity generation on Great Britain fell by nearly a third compared to the same period in 2025, dropping to the lowest levels ever recorded for March and April. For example, in March 2026, gas output was about 5 TWh less than the previous March, and April saw a similar steep decline. This reduction is directly linked to the record output from wind and solar, which displaced gas from the power mix. Lower gas generation also meant that the UK burned less imported fuel, contributing to the £1.7 billion savings. The decline continued a longer-term trend: gas generation has been falling steadily as renewables expand, but the drop during this period was particularly sharp due to both favorable weather and the conflict-driven price spikes that made gas even less competitive.
4. How does the current electricity mix compare to a decade ago?
A decade ago, fossil fuels generated more than four times the electricity of wind and solar in the UK. Today, the situation has flipped: wind and solar now produce more than double the electricity from fossil fuels. This transformation has been driven by rapid investment in renewable capacity, particularly offshore wind, and improvements in solar technology. The shift is evident in the fact that wind and solar have now generated more electricity than fossil fuels for 15 consecutive months—a streak that includes the entire winter of 2025–26, a first for the UK. This clean energy dominance has reduced the country's reliance on volatile gas imports and helped stabilize electricity prices during a global energy crisis.
5. How did this affect electricity pricing in the UK?
Because wind and solar generation reduced the need for gas-fired power, gas set the price of electricity roughly 25% less often in both March and April 2026 compared to the same months in 2022 (when prices spiked after Russia invaded Ukraine). In the UK power market, the marginal generator often sets the wholesale price. With gas plants running less frequently, the influence of expensive gas on overall electricity costs diminished. This helped keep wholesale prices lower than they would have been otherwise, benefiting consumers and businesses. The record renewable output also meant that during many hours, renewable sources were the dominant price-setters, a shift that is expected to continue as more clean capacity comes online.
6. What record was set on 22 April 2026?
On 22 April 2026, between 15:30 and 16:00, a stunning 98.8% of electricity feeding into Great Britain's main transmission grid came from zero-carbon sources. This included wind, solar, nuclear, and hydro power. It was the highest proportion ever recorded, just shy of 100% clean energy. The achievement highlights the grid's growing ability to run on low-carbon power even during peak demand times. While the transmission grid covers most of the country, it does not include local distribution networks, so the overall system percentage was slightly lower. Nevertheless, the moment marked a historic milestone for UK energy, demonstrating that a fully decarbonized electricity system is within reach.
7. What does this mean for the UK's energy security and future?
The £1.7 billion savings and record renewable output show that wind and solar are not just environmentally beneficial but also critical for energy security. By reducing gas imports, the UK has shielded itself from the worst of the price volatility caused by the Iran war. This trend is likely to accelerate as more renewable capacity comes online and battery storage expands. However, challenges remain: intermittency means backup power or storage is still needed during lulls. The analysis suggests that continued investment in renewables, grid upgrades, and flexibility measures will be essential to maintain progress. The 15-month streak of renewables outpacing fossil fuels is a powerful signal that clean energy can reliably meet demand, even during winter. Policymakers are expected to build on this momentum to further reduce reliance on imported gas and meet climate targets.