Wind and solar generate a growing share of UK electricity, as weather continues to shape energy market prices
nathan.reece@r…
The Royal Meteorological Society’s third annual State of the Climate for the UK Energy Sector report examines the influence of weather on electricity generation, prices and supply interruptions from 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Wind and solar provided 38.2% of electricity generated for the UK grid during the reporting period covered by the latest State of the Climate for the UK Energy Sector report, up from 33.3% in the previous report.
Published by the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS), the third annual report examines how weather conditions affected the UK’s energy sector over the reporting period. Its findings illustrate how changes in weather can influence renewable electricity generation, the mix of energy sources used to meet demand, and electricity prices.
Despite the increased contribution from wind and solar, periods of unfavourable weather continued to coincide with significant changes in the make-up of our electricity generation and market prices.
In early January 2026, a cold spell coincided with increased electricity demand and reduced renewable generation, leading to a spike in real-time electricity prices.
In early October 2025, a prolonged period of very low winds reduced wind-power generation, leading to increased reliance on gas-fired generation and a further electricity price spike.
The findings highlight the importance of understanding how weather conditions interact with electricity demand and the availability of different generation sources, particularly as wind and solar account for a growing share of the UK’s electricity.
Weather also continued to cause interruptions to customer electricity supplies. The largest weather-related interruptions during the reporting period were associated with wind and precipitation from named storms, including Storm Floris in August, Storm Amy in October and Storm Claudia in December. Other regional impacts included snow associated with Storm Goretti in the Midlands on 8–9 January, heat across England in July, and lightning strikes from thunderstorms during the summer and autumn.
Professor Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said:
“As the UK’s energy system evolves, it is important that we continue to build our understanding of how weather affects the sector. By tracking these impacts year on year, we can strengthen the evidence base available to businesses and policymakers, supporting informed decisions about the future of our energy system.”
The report provides an annual assessment of weather-related impacts on the UK energy sector, helping to build an evidence base for understanding the relationship between weather, electricity generation, market conditions and the reliability of energy supplies.
The State of the Climate for the UK Energy Sector is an annual report produced by the Royal Meteorological Society. This third instalment continues the Society’s work to document the effects of weather on the UK’s energy sector.
