UK plant biomass electricity generation
UK plant biomass electricity generation stood at 6,226.28 Gigawatt hours in Q2 2026, according to GOV.UK official statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Renewables and gas supply table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q1 2010 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Renewables and gas supply table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity generated | |||||||||||
| Plant biomass | 6,226.28 | 7,064.27 | 7,464.2 | 7,019.33 | 6,473.08 | 6,857.82 | 7,157.1 | 6,483.76 | 6,276.51 | 6,617.66 | |
| Shoreline wave and tidal | 1.51 | 2.81 | 2.49 | 3.71 | 4.59 | 5.19 | 3.61 | 3.16 | 3.3 | 2.94 |
Understanding UK plant biomass electricity generation
Electrical energy produced by thermal power stations fuelled by solid organic matter, including forestry residues, wood pellets, and dedicated agricultural crops across the United Kingdom, measures plant biomass generation. This series separates solid biomass combustion from animal biomass, liquid biofuels, and waste incineration, quantifying the electricity supplied to the grid by large-scale thermal plants configured for organic feedstocks. It reflects the contribution of solid organic fuels to baseload renewable generation.
Analysing this series requires tracking fuel supply chain logistics and major power station conversion projects, which can create large step-changes in quarterly output when units switch between coal and biomass. Year-on-year comparisons provide an honest assessment of structural trends by filtering out short-term fuel stock adjustments and scheduled boiler maintenance. Users must not confuse plant biomass with waste-derived generation, as dedicated solid biomass relies on certified organic material rather than municipal refuse.
Frequently asked questions
- What materials are burned in plant biomass electricity generation?
- It relies on solid organic matter such as forestry residues, wood pellets, and dedicated agricultural crops across the United Kingdom.
- What causes sudden shifts in plant biomass output over time?
- Major step-changes occur when large thermal power stations convert their fuel boilers from coal to solid organic biomass.
- Why is year-on-year comparison preferred for this series?
- It removes the distortion of scheduled maintenance overhauls and temporary fuel supply adjustments that affect adjacent quarters.