How Wind and Solar Power Saved the UK £1.7 Billion During the Iran Conflict

Record Output from Wind and Solar

Between the end of February and the analysis date, wind and solar farms across Great Britain produced a record-breaking 21 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. This surge in clean energy output directly slashed the need for gas-fired power generation, which fell to historic lows—nearly a third lower than the previous year and reaching record low levels in both March and April 2026. The data, sourced from the National Energy System Operator (NESO), demonstrates a clear trend: renewables are increasingly shouldering the load.

How Much Gas Was Saved?

The analysis calculates that the additional wind and solar output avoided the importation of 41 TWh of gas—a volume roughly equivalent to 34 liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers. Given the high global gas prices triggered by the conflict in Iran, importing that much LNG would have cost around £1.7 billion. This is not just a theoretical saving; it represents real money that did not leave the UK economy, bolstering energy security and keeping downward pressure on bills.

Flipping the Electricity Mix

Perhaps the most striking change is the reversal of the UK's electricity generation mix. Over the seven weeks since the war began, wind and solar combined have produced more than twice as much electricity as all fossil fuels put together. To put this in perspective, a decade ago, fossil fuels generated more than four times the electricity of wind and solar. The current situation marks a full flip in the energy landscape.

This isn't a one-off blip. Wind and solar have now generated more electricity than fossil fuels for a record 15 consecutive months. Significantly, this streak included the full winter season of 2025-26 for the first time, proving that renewables can reliably meet peak demand even during colder, darker months.

Impact on Wholesale Prices

The high renewable output has also had a stabilizing effect on electricity pricing. In both March and April 2026, gas set the wholesale electricity price roughly 25% less often than it did in the same months of 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent fossil fuel costs soaring. Fewer price-setting events from gas mean lower average costs for consumers and businesses.

A Record Moment for Zero-Carbon

April 2026 witnessed several other records for the Great Britain electricity system. Most notably, for a half-hour period on the afternoon of 22 April (from 15:30 to 16:00), a record-breaking 98.8% of electricity feeding into the main transmission grid came from zero-carbon sources. This near-total clean energy event underscores the potential for a fully decarbonized grid in the near future.

Conclusion: A Lesson in Energy Security

The £1.7 billion saved since the Iran war began is a tangible benefit of the UK's investment in wind and solar capacity. As the conflict continues to disrupt global gas markets, the role of renewables becomes even more critical. The data from Carbon Brief and NESO paints a clear picture: not only are wind and solar cutting emissions, they are also shielding the nation from the worst of fossil fuel price shocks. To maintain this trajectory, continued expansion of renewable capacity and grid infrastructure is essential.

Analysis based on data from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and Carbon Brief. Figures referenced in the original report show monthly generation trends for wind, solar, and gas on the island of Great Britain.