πŸ”Œ EV Partnership Switch to Octopus Energy & unlock exclusive smart EV charging rates Find out more β†’ Skip to main content
Live National Grid data

UK Renewable Energy
Infrastructure Guide

πŸ”— Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Pinterest Email

Every major operational, under-construction and planned renewable project across Britain β€” wind, solar, BESS, hydro and tidal β€” with live grid generation data and planning resources.

πŸ—Ί Interactive Map ⚑ Live Grid Data
β€”
Wind Generation
Right now
β€”
Solar Generation
Right now
β€”
Renewables Share
of UK grid
β€”
Carbon Intensity
gCOβ‚‚/kWh
15.1 GW
Offshore Wind
Installed capacity
50 GW
2030 Target
Offshore wind
Real-time Β· National Grid ESO

⚑ Live UK Grid Generation Mix

Live data from the National Grid ESO Carbon Intensity API, updated every minute. Shows the current fuel mix powering the UK electricity grid.

CURRENT GENERATION MIX β€” Loading…
Fetching live data…
UK Installed Renewable Capacity (2024)
Offshore Wind 15.1 GW
Onshore Wind 15.0 GW
Solar PV 16.6 GW
Hydro (incl. pumped) 4.5 GW
Battery Storage 4.8 GW
Tidal & Wave 10 MW
UK Government 2030 Targets
Offshore Wind 50 GW from 15.1 GW
Onshore Wind 30 GW from 15 GW
Solar 70 GW from 16.6 GW
Battery Storage 30 GW from 4.8 GW
Key Milestones
2013
London Array opens
First phase of 630 MW offshore wind in Thames Estuary.
2019
Hornsea One
World's then-largest offshore wind farm. 1,218 MW.
2022
Hornsea Two
New world record β€” 1,386 MW offshore.
2023
Seagreen
Scotland's largest offshore farm. 1,075 MW.
2024
Dogger Bank
Construction of world's largest project (3,600 MW) underway.
2030
Net Zero target
UK aims for fully decarbonised electricity grid.
Interactive Β· 60+ Projects

πŸ—Ί UK Renewable Infrastructure Map

Every major renewable energy project in the UK β€” operational, under construction and planned. Click any marker for project details. Filter by type below.

This overview shows up to 500 of the largest mapped projects from the July 2026 official register. These are register location points, not surveyed boundaries. Explore the complete project map and register.

Offshore Wind
Onshore Wind
BESS
Hydro
Solar
Tidal
Operational
Construction
Planned
🌊
Offshore Wind
The UK has the world's largest installed offshore wind capacity. Learn more about individual projects, developers and the pipeline.
15.1 GW operational Β· 3.6 GW under construction Β· 8+ GW planned
Full Guide β†’
30+
Operational farms
3,600MW
Dogger Bank (world's largest)
Β£50bn+
Investment pipeline to 2030
30%
UK electricity from wind
πŸ’¨
Onshore Wind
Over 8,000 onshore turbines across the UK, predominantly in Scotland and Wales. Onshore wind is the cheapest form of new electricity generation.
15 GW installed capacity Β· Scotland leads with ~75% of UK onshore wind
Full Guide β†’
πŸ”‹
Battery Energy Storage (BESS)
BESS is the fastest-growing sector in UK energy infrastructure, providing critical grid balancing and storing surplus renewable generation.
4.8 GW installed Β· 30 GW target by 2030 Β· Pipeline of 40+ GW in planning
Full Guide β†’
What BESS does for the UK grid
βš–οΈ
Frequency Response
Responds within milliseconds to keep grid frequency at 50 Hz.
πŸ”„
Load Shifting
Stores cheap overnight wind power, releases at peak demand.
πŸ›‘
Backup Power
Provides emergency power if generation suddenly drops.
πŸ’°
Trading
Earns revenue on wholesale electricity markets and grid services.
πŸ’§
Hydro & Pumped Storage
The UK's pumped storage facilities are essential for grid stability, storing energy during low demand and releasing it at peak times. Massive expansion planned.
4.5 GW installed Β· 1,500+ MW new pumped storage in planning
Full Guide β†’
β˜€οΈ
Solar PV
The UK has over 1.3 million solar installations with 16.6 GW of capacity. A pipeline of large solar farms is pushing toward the government's 70 GW target by 2035.
16.6 GW installed Β· 70 GW 2035 target Β· Sunnica (900 MW) in planning
Full Guide β†’
πŸŒ€
Tidal, Wave & Marine Energy
The UK has the world's greatest tidal resource. Scotland's Orkney archipelago hosts the world's leading marine energy test centre and several record-breaking tidal turbines.
~10 MW operational Β· Pentland Firth potential of 1.9 GW
Full Guide β†’
For Developers, Planners & Investors

πŸ“‹ Planning & Policy

Key resources for renewable energy planning applications, grid connection, funding and policy in the UK.

πŸ“
Planning Inspectorate (PINS)
Nationally significant infrastructure projects over 50 MW.
Consenting body for large energy projects β†—
πŸ“Š
Renewable Energy Planning Database
BEIS database of all UK renewable projects with status.
Updated monthly by DESNZ β†—
πŸ”Œ
National Grid Connection
ESO portal for grid connection enquiries and capacity.
Grid connection applications β†—
πŸ’·
Contracts for Difference (CfD)
UK government's main support mechanism for renewable projects.
Low Carbon Contracts Company β†—
πŸ›
Ofgem
Energy regulator. Licensing, network charges and consumer protection.
Regulatory guidance β†—
πŸ“‘
National Grid ESO
System operator. Live data, forecasts and balancing market.
Real-time grid information β†—
♻️
Renewable UK
Trade association for wind and marine energy in the UK.
Industry body & policy advocacy β†—
β˜€οΈ
Solar Energy UK
Trade body for the UK solar and storage industry.
Solar industry representation β†—
πŸ’§
British Hydropower Association
Supports small and large hydro development in the UK.
Hydro industry representation β†—
🌊
EMEC
European Marine Energy Centre β€” world's leading marine test site.
Marine energy testing, Orkney β†—
πŸ“ˆ
Aurora Energy Research
Modelling and market intelligence for the UK energy sector.
Energy market analysis β†—
πŸ—Ί
DESNZ Energy Trends
Government data on UK energy production, consumption and prices.
Official government statistics β†—
πŸ— For Developers & Planners
  • β–ΈProjects over 50 MW require a Development Consent Order (DCO) via PINS
  • β–ΈSmaller projects go through local planning authority
  • β–ΈEnvironmental Impact Assessment required for most projects
  • β–ΈGrid connection must be secured β€” check National Grid ESO Connections portal
  • β–ΈCfD Allocation Round is the primary route to revenue support
  • β–ΈCommunity benefit fund typically expected: ~Β£5,000/MW/year for wind
🏒 For Businesses & Investors
  • β–ΈCorporate PPAs available directly with developers
  • β–ΈBESS projects offer grid services revenue (FFR, DC, BM)
  • β–ΈCfD contracts provide long-term revenue certainty
  • β–ΈUK Infrastructure Bank provides development finance
  • β–ΈGreen Gilts and sustainability-linked bonds for large projects
  • β–ΈOfgem's Flexible Access project expanding grid access
🏠 For Individuals & Communities
  • β–ΈFind your local renewable projects on this map
  • β–ΈCommunity Energy England supports local energy projects
  • β–ΈCommunity benefit funds from wind farms β€” check your council
  • β–ΈSolar Together schemes for group purchasing of solar panels
  • β–ΈHeat Pump grant: up to Β£7,500 from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
  • β–ΈSmart Export Guarantee β€” get paid for excess solar you export