How Wind and Solar Saved the UK £1.7 Billion in Gas Imports Since the Iran War: 10 Key Facts

Since the outbreak of the Iran war in late February 2026, the United Kingdom has dramatically reduced its reliance on imported natural gas, thanks to a record-breaking surge in wind and solar power generation. According to a new analysis by Carbon Brief, the boom in renewable electricity has not only slashed the country's gas bill by an estimated £1.7 billion but has also reshaped the entire energy landscape. From historic production milestones to a fundamental shift in the electricity mix, here are 10 essential facts about how wind and solar have become the UK's energy shield during a global crisis.

1. £1.7 Billion in Gas Imports Avoided

Since the US and Israel launched their initial strikes on Iran on 28 February 2026, the UK has sidestepped the need to import natural gas worth approximately £1.7 billion. This staggering saving comes directly from the soaring output of wind and solar farms across Great Britain. The avoided imports equal about 41 terawatt hours (TWh) of gas—enough to fill roughly 34 liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers. At the elevated global gas prices triggered by the conflict, each tanker would have cost around £50 million. In short, renewables have effectively absorbed a major financial shock that would otherwise have hit consumers and businesses.

How Wind and Solar Saved the UK £1.7 Billion in Gas Imports Since the Iran War: 10 Key Facts — Source: www.carbonbrief.org

2. Record 21 TWh of Wind and Solar Power

Between the start of the Iran war and late April 2026, wind and solar installations on the island of Great Britain generated a historic 21 TWh of electricity. This figure—tracked by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and Carbon Brief—is the highest ever recorded for a comparable period. To put it in perspective, that's enough to power more than six million average UK homes for an entire year. The record output was driven by both favorable weather conditions and a continued expansion of renewable capacity, demonstrating that clean energy can deliver at scale when it matters most.

3. Gas Generation Plummets by Nearly One-Third

The surge in renewables directly replaced fossil fuel generation. In March and April 2026, gas-fired power plants produced nearly a third less electricity compared to the same months in 2025. More strikingly, those two months saw the lowest ever levels of gas generation for March and April since modern records began. The decline is a clear sign that wind and solar are now systematically pushing gas off the grid, even during periods of high demand. As a result, the UK's carbon emissions from electricity have fallen sharply, supporting broader climate goals.

4. Renewables Outpace Fossil Fuels Two-to-One Since War Began

Since late February 2026, wind and solar combined have generated more than double the electricity produced by all fossil fuels—gas, coal, and oil—in Great Britain. This is a remarkable turnaround from just a decade earlier, when fossil fuels were generating over four times as much power as wind and solar. The shift underscores a structural change in the UK's energy system, where renewables are no longer a niche supplement but the dominant source of electricity. Even during the winter months, when solar output dips, wind has proven resilient enough to maintain the lead.

5. 15 Consecutive Months of Clean Energy Dominance

Wind and solar have now generated more electricity than fossil fuels for 15 months straight—a record streak that shows no signs of ending. The run began in early 2025 and includes the full winter season of 2025–26, which marks the first time renewables have outperformed fossil fuels through an entire winter. Winter is traditionally the toughest test for wind power (due to occasional calm spells) and solar (due to short daylight hours). The feat proves that Britain's renewable fleet has reached a level where it can consistently out-compete gas in all seasons.

6. First Full Winter Surpasses Fossil Fuels

The 2025–26 winter period (December to February) was historic: for the first time ever, wind and solar output exceeded fossil fuel generation across the entire three months. This milestone was achieved despite the coldest weather in years, which typically drives up gas demand for heating and electricity. The success was underpinned by powerful winter storms that boosted wind speeds and by a significant expansion of offshore wind capacity. Energy analysts say this winter break is a harbinger of a future where renewables routinely satisfy baseline demand, even in the depths of winter.

7. Gas Sets the Price 25% Less Often

Because gas often acts as the marginal generation source in the UK electricity market, its price heavily influences wholesale electricity costs. But in March and April 2026, gas set the wholesale price roughly one-quarter less often than in the same months of 2022—when fossil fuel prices skyrocketed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The reduction is directly tied to the higher penetration of wind and solar, which at times meet such a large share of demand that gas plants are not needed to set the price. This dynamic has helped stabilize electricity costs amid global turmoil.

8. Record Zero-Carbon Moment: 98.8% of Grid Supply

On 22 April 2026, between 15:30 and 16:00 BST, Great Britain's main transmission grid achieved an extraordinary milestone: for half an hour, 98.8% of the electricity feeding into the network came from zero-carbon sources. This included wind, solar, nuclear, and a small amount of hydro and interconnector imports. The near-total clean power moment was made possible by a combination of strong winds, bright sunshine, and low demand. It shattered the previous record and demonstrated that a fully decarbonized grid is technically achievable.

9. LNG Imports Equivalent to 34 Tankers Saved

The 41 TWh of gas that the UK avoided importing equates to roughly 34 shiploads of LNG. Each of those tankers would have traveled thousands of miles from the United States, Qatar, or Trinidad, adding to geopolitical dependencies and carbon footprint. By relying on homegrown wind and solar instead, the UK reduced its exposure to volatile global energy markets and strengthened its energy security. Every gigawatt-hour of renewable generation effectively displaces a small part of the global LNG trade, cutting demand for a fuel that often carries a high methane leakage risk.

10. A Decade of Transformation: From 4:1 to 1:2

Perhaps the most telling fact is the complete reversal of the UK's electricity mix over the past ten years. In 2016, fossil fuels produced more than four times as much power as wind and solar. Today, wind and solar produce more than twice the output of fossil fuels. This 8x relative swing is the result of aggressive renewable deployment, the closure of coal plants, and a sustained decline in gas generation. The Iran crisis has only accelerated the trend, proving that renewables are not just an environmental choice but an economic and strategic necessity for modern nations.

Conclusion: The evidence is clear: wind and solar have done more than just reduce carbon emissions during the Iran war—they have saved UK consumers and businesses £1.7 billion, slashed gas demand by nearly a third, and ushered in a new era where clean electricity is the default, not the exception. As the conflict continues to roil global energy markets, Britain's renewable fleet stands as a resilient shield against price spikes and supply risks. The numbers speak for themselves: 21 TWh of clean power, 15 months of fossil fuel dominance, and a 98.8% zero-carbon grid moment. These are not hypothetical futures—they are happening now. The lesson for other countries is simple: investing in wind and solar is the cheapest insurance policy against energy crises.

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