Solar power is set to play a leading role in the UK’s renewable energy expansion over the next decade, supported by government incentives and large-scale investment, according to GlobalData’s latest report United Kingdom (UK) Power Market Trends and Analysis by Capacity, Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Regulations, Key Players and Forecast to 2035.
The data and analytics firm forecasts that the UK’s total renewable power capacity will rise from 61GW in 2024 to 172.7GW by 2035 – a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%. Solar PV is expected to see a fast growth – tripling from 20.2GW in 2024 to 68.4GW by 2035.
This rise will be driven by CfD-backed utility projects, rooftop installations, and community energy schemes.
Wind power will remain a key pillar of the UK’s clean energy mix. Offshore wind capacity is projected to increase from 15.8GW to 58.3GW over the same period, supported by the Clean Power 2030 mission, ongoing CfD auctions, and major grid projects across the North Sea.
The UK’s offshore pipeline is among the world’s largest, strengthened by floating wind development and investment in ports and manufacturing in Teesside, Humber, and Scotland.
Onshore wind capacity is expected to nearly double from 16.2GW to 31.7GW, following the easing of planning restrictions and faster repowering approvals. Biopower will also expand, growing from 8.4GW to 13.8GW, as the UK pursues waste-to-energy and circular economy initiatives.
Mohammed Ziauddin, Power Analyst at GlobalData, said: “The UK’s clean energy growth is being powered by a robust framework that includes the CfD mechanism, the Clean Power 2030 mission, and the Net Zero Strategy, all providing long-term policy stability and investment certainty.”
While nuclear capacity is expected to fall from 5.9GW in 2024 to about 4.1GW by 2035, gas-fired generation will remain vital for system reliability as energy storage and hydrogen capacity scale up.
Zia added: “Offshore wind will be the centrepiece of the UK’s clean energy expansion, supported by record investment, policy stability, and grid modernisation.”
[Graph credit: GlobalData]
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