UK electricity generation share: gas
UK electricity generation share: gas stood at 15.3% on Oct 18, 2026, according to National Energy System Operator (NESO) data portal. It is one of the indicators in the Electricity system, daily table (Value · Daily), with a complete series running from Jul 31, 2025 to Oct 18, 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Electricity system, daily table
| Indicator | 18-10-2026 | 17-10-2026 | 16-10-2026 | 15-10-2026 | 14-10-2026 | 13-10-2026 | 12-10-2026 | 11-10-2026 | 10-10-2026 | 09-10-2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of generation by fuel | |||||||||||
| Gas | 15.3 | 7.59 | 21.47 | 21.19 | 19.25 | 15.5 | 23.98 | 21.54 | 10.59 | 8.6 | |
| Nuclear | 16.92 | 16.69 | 15.24 | 13.46 | 13.67 | 12.01 | 11.81 | 14.85 | 12.37 | 12.27 |
Understanding UK electricity generation share: gas
The daily share of total Great Britain electricity generation contributed by power stations fuelled by natural gas is recorded as a percentage. The calculation measures thermal generation output relative to the aggregate energy mix from all metered and estimated sources across the system. Unlike renewable share metrics that fluctuate with weather conditions, this series typically exhibits inverse movements, acting as the primary flexible cushion that ramps up when wind or solar outputs decline.
Interpreting the figures requires understanding seasonal heating demand cycles and wholesale gas commodity price volatility, which heavily influence plant dispatch decisions. Month-on-month comparisons can be distorted by scheduled maintenance outages at major combined-cycle gas turbine facilities. Analysts should avoid viewing this share in isolation, as changes reflect broader supply-demand dynamics across the entire domestic energy market.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this series include backup diesel or open-cycle gas peaking plants?
- It encompasses all metered gas-fired generation, including smaller peaking units connected to transmission or distribution networks.
- How do carbon pricing mechanisms affect this generation share?
- Higher carbon costs incentivize generators to bid higher, potentially reducing gas generation share in favour of cheaper alternatives.
- Are early daily estimates subject to revision?
- Proliminary figures are updated once final settlement metering data becomes fully available.