All You Need to Know About Renewables' Record-Breaking 2024
Figures from the UK’s National Energy System Operator (NESO) show that wind power broke records in 2024.
Wind power made up 30% of the year’s energy mix, coming in ahead of gas that was responsible for 26.3%.
This is the first time that wind was the largest source of electricity generation in the country.
This figure is set to grow with the development of new projects including Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Hornsea 3 and 4 and the Isle of Man’s first offshore wind farm Mooir Vannin.
Ørsted, in charge of the Hornsea Projects, announced further investments of £75m-100m (US$92m-US$123.5m) in December 2024.
Benj Sykes, Head of Ørsted in the UK, says: “Ørsted has been an investor in Britain supplying clean energy for 20 years and we believe in supporting the communities in which we work.
“Hornsea 3 is the world’s single largest offshore wind farm and, as well as being based in UK waters, we’re proud to be supporting Britain’s growing offshore wind supply chain.”
The UK’s 2024 energy makeup in figures
On 30 September, Ratcliffe power system was removed from the system, marking the end of 142 years of generating electricity from coal in Great Britain.
In total, coal made up just 0.6% of electricity generation throughout the year.
NESO says that solar, biomass and imports have played a greater role in providing electricity to replace the supply coal traditionally provided.
Its analysis also shows that 2024 was the lowest carbon intensity year, averaging at 125g CO₂/kWh.
It also had the highest yearly zero carbon electricity generation at 51% and a minimum carbon intensity record of 19g CO₂/kWh.
Wind power hit a new maximum record on 18 December, providing a total of 68.3% of Great Britain’s electricity.
New renewable projects in the UK
Dogger Bank A is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025, the first of three 1.2GW phases of what will become the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
The project is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%).
"Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a world-leading development pushing the boundaries of offshore wind development,” says Olly Cass, SSE Renewables Project Director for Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
“We’re incredibly proud to say Dogger Bank Wind Farm is playing a key role in delivering the ambition to increase UK supply chain capacity and capability.
“Through our support for the local supply chain we’re harnessing skills and expertise in the North East of England and delivering long-term benefits in the UK’s offshore wind sector."
Green Volt is another exciting wind project that received both offshore and onshore consent in April 2024.
The project is being developed by Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn 80 miles off the East coast of Scotland and is set to become Europe’s first commercial-scale floating offshore wind farm.
On 16 December 2024, Green Volt announced it awarded front-end engineering and design Phase 1 contracts to Aker Solutions, ABB, Aibel and Hitachi Energy.
Sir Kier Starmer, UK Prime Minister, says: "The Green Volt windfarm is a prime example of how the UK and Norway can work together to move away from fossil fuels and deliver clean, secure energy for millions of households up and down the country.
“I welcome this announcement as we deliver our Plan For Change to secure home-grown energy, protect billpayers, and put us on track to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030."
The project says it is set to unlock £2.5bn (US$3bn) of private investment and create up to 2,800 jobs.
“We are keen to support Green Volt in the conceptual design of the high voltage (HV) system, which will connect electricity generated from the windfarm to the grid as well as enabling a stable supply of electrical power to existing oil and gas assets,” says Bård Lund, Company Managing Director Norway at Hitachi Energy.
“Concepts include the management of a bi-directional power flow, to and from shore, in addition to design of high voltage system components."
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