The UK increased electricity generation from fossil fuels in 2025 for the first time in four years, as higher natural gas generation had to offset the lowest nuclear power output in decades. 

The carbon intensity of the UK power grid rose last year, for the first time since 2021, according to data from the system operator compiled by Bloomberg, highlighting the challenge that Britain faces in achieving its Clean Power 2030 goal.  

The UK government has an ambition to have as much as 95% of all electricity coming from low-carbon energy sources by 2030, including renewables and nuclear. 

However, nuclear power generation slumped in 2025, resulting in higher gas-fueled generation to compensate for the nuclear decline in baseload power, the data from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) showed. 

The rise in gas power last year was due to the end of UK coal generation in late 2024 and nuclear power hitting its lowest level in half a century, while electricity exports grew and imports fell, an analysis by Carbon Brief showed last week. 

Maintenance and refueling at nuclear reactors were the key reasons for the lower nuclear power generation last year. By 2030, Britain plans to have EFD’s Hinkley Point C up and running, but it could miss the start date by the end of this decade. This would put further pressure on the clean power target as gas would have to offset lower nuclear output. 

Last month, the UK government released a five-year plan that essentially doubles down on efforts to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide as a top priority in the energy space.

In December NESO confirmed a new pipeline of shovel-ready energy projects that will be prioritized for connection to the electricity networks. These projects are expected to unlock £40?billion, or $54 billion, in clean investment annually and driving progress towards the government’s Clean Power by 2030 target, the system operator said. 

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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