UK electricity generation share: hydro
UK electricity generation share: hydro stood at 2.24% 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 | |||||||||||
| Hydro | 2.24 | 2.75 | 2.21 | 3.07 | 2.71 | 1.71 | 2.28 | 3.31 | 1.8 | 2.2 | |
| Coal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Understanding UK electricity generation share: hydro
Electrical power generated by conventional hydroelectric dams and run-of-river installations across Great Britain, expressed as a percentage of total daily system generation, monitors the contribution of water power. This metric captures metered output from major hydro facilities predominantly located in highland regions. Unlike intermittent wind or solar shares, traditional hydro output depends heavily on rainfall and reservoir storage levels rather than immediate weather conditions.
Interpreting the series requires recognising hydrological seasonality, where autumn and winter downpours typically support higher generation shares than dry summer months. Day-to-day comparisons can be volatile depending on peaking operations and water management strategies. Analysts should avoid assuming constant output capability, as prolonged dry spells can severely restrict generation regardless of electricity demand levels.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this series include pumped storage hydroelectric facilities?
- Pumped storage generation is tracked separately from natural flow hydroelectric generation to avoid double-counting pumping energy.
- How do reservoir levels impact daily hydro shares?
- Low water storage limits the volume of water available for turbine generation during peak demand windows.
- Are small-scale community hydro schemes included?
- Smaller run-of-river projects are incorporated where telemetry is available or estimated through distribution network reporting.