- Only 46% of the energy used to supply UK electricity was imported in 2025, down from 48% in 2024 and the lowest share since 2004.
- Without renewables, imports would have reached 73% of the primary energy needed.
- Fuel‑free renewables provided 36.6% of UK electricity supply, up from 34.1% in 2024.
- Large wind farms reduce wholesale electricity prices by about a third, demonstrating the economic value of renewable investment.
New analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) reveals that Britain’s electricity system is more self‑sufficient than at any time since 2004.
In 2025, just 46% of the primary energy used to supply electricity was imported. That figure has fallen steadily from a peak of 67% in 2013 and is down from 48% in 2024. Crucially, the report notes that without the output from UK wind, solar and hydro resources, imports would have risen to 73%.
Fuel‑free renewables now provide 36.6% of electricity supplies, beating fossil fuel generation for the second year running. Output from these sources rose by 8% in 2025, with solar generation up 37%.
Dr Simon Cran‑McGreehin of the ECIU said the expansion of renewables is more than offsetting the decline in North Sea gas production. He warned that the UK remains vulnerable to global gas shocks – as shown by recent price spikes – but argued that increasing renewable deployment is the surest path to energy independence.
The study estimates that large wind farms cut day‑ahead wholesale prices by a third, demonstrating that renewables not only reduce imports but also lower consumer bills. Over 53% of the energy used for electricity supplies came from UK sources in 2025, up from 51% the year before.
The implications for the UK are far‑reaching. Reduced reliance on imports means Britain is less exposed to geopolitical shocks such as the current blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. As global oil and gas prices surge, the insulation provided by domestic renewables helps to stabilise household bills and industrial costs.
However, the ECIU warns that the country is “not out of the woods yet”: the grid needs investment to accommodate higher levels of intermittent renewables. Further deployment of wind, solar and storage, alongside electrification of heating and transport, is essential to sustain the trend.
Politicians often frame net‑zero targets as a burden, but the report argues that decarbonisation equates to energy security.
The analysis also carries lessons for policymakers debating new North Sea oil and gas licences. The ECIU points out that about 90% of recoverable hydrocarbons have already been extracted. Pursuing further drilling would provide diminishing returns while increasing dependence on volatile global markets. In contrast, accelerating renewables and grid investments can make the UK more resilient and attract clean‑tech industries.
