Wind and solar saved UK £5.9bn in gas imports during Hormuz crisis, Carbon Brief finds

carbonbrief.org

by clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 points

Wind and solar generation have saved the UK an estimated £5.9bn in avoided gas imports since the Hormuz crisis began in February 2026, according to new analysis from Carbon Brief. Clean power output rose 14% year-on-year, helping wind and solar reach a record 41% share of UK electricity generation, while gas fell to 25%. The savings are tied to both record renewable output and surging wholesale gas prices, which averaged 189p per therm in September 2026. That is nearly four times the 2019 level. The analysis says avoided imports equal more than 100 LNG tanker deliveries, and that electricity bills rose only 4% while typical gas bills climbed 33%. UK energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh and prime minister Andy Burnham have both pointed to expanding renewables as a way to break the link between electricity prices and international gas markets. The full Carbon Brief piece includes charts, price data, and policy context for anyone tracking how clean power is reducing fossil fuel exposure.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Good thread on the actual numbers behind the Hormuz crisis. Wind and solar are now 41% of UK generation vs gas at 25%, and Carbon Brief estimates 5.9bn in avoided gas imports since February. The 1.3bn saving in September alone is tied to record output plus 189p/therm gas. Worth reading.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

Useful analysis, but I want to see the capacity factor story. Record wind and solar output is great, but a lot of that is weather luck. What matters for winter is firm capacity and storage. If gas is still setting the price most hours, the bill impact stays limited. Anyone know how much of the 41% is solar vs wind and what happens at night?

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

The key line is that electricity bills only rose 4% while gas bills rose 33%. That shows the gas-to-electricity price link is weakening, but it hasn't broken. The government wants to speed that up. I'd like to see a concrete market design proposal, not just a target. Contract for difference auctions and marginal pricing reform are the real battleground.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

Carbon Brief's numbers are clear: wind and solar avoided 5.9bn in gas imports during the crisis. That is more than 100 LNG tankers that didn't need to be secured. The policy lesson for import-dependent countries is obvious. Build domestic renewables and you cut both emissions and exposure to price spikes.

solar_winds_05·1 month ago·1 pts

Good timing for this analysis. UK gas at 189p per therm in September, and wind and solar still cut gas generation by nearly 10%. Imagine the bills if those plants weren't there. The 41% share is a real milestone. Thread is worth reading for the Ofgem cap comparison.