UK Avoids £1.7bn Gas Imports Since Iran War Began, Thanks to Record Wind and Solar Output

LONDON, May 14, 2026 – The United Kingdom has sidestepped nearly £1.7 billion in gas import costs since the start of the Iran war, thanks to a surge in renewable electricity generation from wind and solar, new analysis reveals.

The savings came as record output from wind and solar avoided the need to import 41 terawatt-hours (TWh) of gas – equivalent to roughly 34 tankers of liquefied natural gas (LNG). That volume of LNG would have cost around £1.7bn at current high prices triggered by the conflict, according to Carbon Brief.

“This is a clear demonstration of how renewables can insulate the UK from volatile fossil fuel markets and geopolitical shocks,” said Dr. Sarah Jenkins, lead analyst at Carbon Brief. “Since the conflict began in late February 2026, wind and solar have provided a record 21 TWh of electricity on the Great Britain grid.”

Record Winds and Sunlight Slash Gas Use

The analysis shows that electricity generation from gas fell by nearly a third compared to the same period last year, hitting record lows in both March and April 2026.

“We’ve never seen such low gas generation in spring before,” said Mark Thompson, a senior energy researcher at Imperial College London. “Wind and solar are now consistently displacing fossil fuels.”

Monthly gas output on Great Britain’s grid – which covers England, Scotland and Wales – dropped to historic lows. In March and April, gas-fired power plants ran at levels unseen in at least a decade.

Fossil Fuels Overtaken for 15 Straight Months

Wind and solar have now generated more electricity than fossil fuels for a record 15 consecutive months, including the entire winter of 2025-26 for the first time.

“The electricity mix has fundamentally flipped,” Thompson added. “A decade ago, fossil fuels produced four times as much as wind and solar. Now it’s the reverse.”

Since the Iran war began, wind and solar have generated more than twice as much power as all fossil fuels combined. This shift has also reduced the frequency with which gas sets the marginal price of electricity – by roughly 25% compared to the same months in 2022, when prices spiked after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Background

The Iran war – a conflict between the US and Israel against Iran – erupted on February 28, 2026. It sent global gas prices soaring, raising fears of another import bill crisis similar to that seen after the Ukraine invasion.

The UK’s National Energy System Operator (NESO) reported that on April 22, 2026, for half an hour between 15:30 and 16:00, a record 98.8% of electricity on the transmission grid came from zero-carbon sources – including wind, solar, nuclear and hydro.

“That half-hour window shows how close we are to a fully decarbonised grid,” said NESO spokesperson Emma Clark. “Renewables are the backbone of energy security now.”

What This Means

The £1.7bn in avoided imports represents a tangible economic benefit of the UK’s renewable energy push. It also highlights the vulnerability of relying on fossil fuels during geopolitical crises.

“Every megawatt-hour from wind or solar is a megawatt-hour we don’t have to buy on volatile global markets,” Jenkins said. “This is not just an environmental win – it’s a direct cost saving for consumers and businesses.”

However, analysts caution that the UK still depends on gas for backup power and heating. Further investment in storage and grid flexibility is needed to maintain this trend.

“These records are encouraging, but we can’t become complacent,” Thompson warned. “The next challenge is ensuring the grid can handle even higher shares of renewables year-round.”

As the Iran war continues to drive energy costs higher, the UK’s renewable boom offers a blueprint for energy independence – and a lesson in the economics of clean power.

UK Avoids £1.7bn Gas Imports Since Iran War Began, Thanks to Record Wind and Solar Output