- Record UK wind and solar output since late February 2026 curtailed 41 TWh of gas imports – equivalent to 34 LNG tankers.
- The UK saved an estimated £1.7 billion on gas imports, with gas-fired generation falling by a third.
- Renewable generation has exceeded fossil fuel output for 15 consecutive months, hitting a momentary share of 98.8%.
Analysis by Carbon Brief has shown that the UK’s energy security has been bolstered by extraordinary levels of wind and solar generation since the outbreak of the Iran war in late February 2026.
Over the past ten weeks, renewable output of 21 TWh prevented the need for about 41 TWh of natural‑gas imports – equivalent to 34 LNG cargoes – saving approximately £1.7 billion. The data underscores how record renewables have cushioned Britain from geopolitical shocks and highlights the value of continued investment in clean power.
Carbon Brief’s analysis uses Gridwatch data to compare actual gas consumption with a counterfactual scenario in which wind and solar generation remained at pre‑war levels. The results show that gas‑fired electricity generation fell by around one third during March and April 2026, while renewables produced nearly twice as much power as fossil fuels.
At one point on 22 April, wind and solar supplied 98.8% of grid electricity, highlighting the potential for near‑total decarbonisation on high‑wind days. Solar output hit a record 15.4 GW on 23 April, and wind generation peaked at 23.9 GW on 25 March.
These records meant that less gas was burned for power and therefore less imported. The avoided 41 TWh of gas equate to roughly 34 LNG shipments, or about 10% of the UK’s annual LNG imports. Carbon Brief estimates the financial saving at £1.7 billion, based on average gas import prices during the period.
The savings are particularly notable given that the UK has experienced high wholesale prices following the Iran war, which threatened shipping routes and pushed up global oil and gas markets.
The report also points out that wind and solar output has outperformed fossil fuel generation for 15 straight months, demonstrating consistency rather than a one‑off anomaly. By delivering more than twice the electricity of fossil fuels, renewables have helped keep prices lower and reduced emissions. This suggests that the UK’s rapid build‑out of offshore wind and solar capacity is yielding tangible economic benefits.
Risk mitigation
The analysis highlights the importance of continued investment in grid flexibility, storage and interconnectors to handle high renewable penetration. It also underscores the value of domestic renewable resources in insulating the country from geopolitical risks.
The avoided gas imports represent not only cost savings but also improved energy security; in the context of the Iran war and disruptions to global shipping routes, reducing reliance on LNG shipments has geopolitical significance. The findings may bolster arguments for further renewable deployment and support for technologies like demand‑side response and long‑duration storage to manage variability.
Policymakers may use these data to justify accelerating offshore wind tenders and solar deployment, particularly as the UK seeks to meet its 2035 decarbonisation goals. However, the analysis also serves as a reminder that high renewable penetration requires grid reinforcement – recent constraints have led to curtailment and negative pricing.
UK stakeholders must therefore balance investment in generation with parallel spending on transmission, storage and market reforms to unlock the full value of renewables.
