For the first time ever , just over 50 % of all the UK 's electricity came from low - carbon sources , and nearly six coal - free days were recorded , in Q3 2015 , according to a report from energy firm Drax and green College plc . Nuclear power was the largest generator of low - carbon energy , providing 26 % of all energy contributions while renewables accounted for 20 % , with a six - fold increase in capacity to generate GW from solar and wind compared to six years ago , and biomass joining the list with 2 GW . The UK government plans to close British coal - fired power stations by 2025 .
For the first time ever, just over 50% of all the UK's electricity came from low-carbon sources, and nearly six coal-free days were recorded, in Q3 2015, according to a report from energy firm Drax and Imperial College London. Nuclear power was the largest generator of low-carbon energy, providing 26% of all energy contributions while renewables accounted for 20%, with a six-fold increase in capacity to 26 GW from solar and power compared to six years ago, and biomass joining the list with 2 GW. The UK government plans to close British coal-fired power stations by 2025.