The UK is off track to meet its 2050 net zero target, with the Climate Change Committee calling for intensified efforts tackling the UK’s carbon emissions.
This comes despite positive developments in the latest Energy Trends Report. This shows a record 51.6% of the nation’s electricity was sourced from renewables in 2024. This overall figure hides regional disparities.
Which UK regions are at the forefront of renewable energy generation?
To find out, the firm Confused.com Energy analysed solar and wind capacity factors in each region. The company also looked at capacity forecasts from 2030 to 2060 to uncover the regions with the greatest potential for renewable energy generation. The results have been provided to Digital Journal.
UK regions for renewable energy generation ranked
| Rank | Region | Avg. monthly surface solar radiation (W/m²) | Avg. solar PV capacity factor* | Solar score /10 | Avg. monthly wind speed at 100 meters (m s⁻¹) | Avg. onshore wind capacity factor* | Wind score /10 | Final renewable potential score /10 |
| 1 | Scotland | 208.56 | 16.0% | 6.54 | 6.64 | 37.3% | 8.66 | 7.60 |
| 2 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 220.67 | 16.7% | 6.83 | 5.83 | 32.3% | 8.32 | 7.58 |
| 3 | East of England | 240.85 | 18.1% | 8.21 | 5.63 | 29.7% | 6.43 | 7.32 |
| 4 | North East | 228.25 | 17.4% | 6.68 | 5.98 | 34.6% | 7.68 | 7.18 |
| 5 | Wales | 222.10 | 16.8% | 7.43 | 5.58 | 27.6% | 6.86 | 7.15 |
| 6 | South East | 244.87 | 18.3% | 8.53 | 5.59 | 28.1% | 5.69 | 7.11 |
| 7 | South West | 229.38 | 17.2% | 8.14 | 5.62 | 27.5% | 5.86 | 7.00 |
| 8 | North West | 220.97 | 16.9% | 6.28 | 5.84 | 31.1% | 7.58 | 6.93 |
| 9 | Northern Ireland | 193.49 | 14.7% | 5.18 | 6.52 | 38.0% | 8.62 | 6.90 |
| 10 | East Midlands | 219.62 | 16.5% | 7.09 | 5.77 | 30.6% | 6.66 | 6.88 |
| 11 | London | 239.10 | 17.8% | 7.15 | 5.32 | 26.0% | 5.46 | 6.31 |
| 12 | West Midlands | 214.19 | 16.1% | 6.16 | 5.55 | 26.8% | 5.62 | 5.89 |
*The capacity factors above are based on data from 2024, and reflect the real-world efficiency of solar/wind systems. They measure the actual energy production of these systems compared to their maximum potential output.
Scotland stands as the renewable energy powerhouse in the UK, achieving a final renewable potential score of 7.60/10. The region boasts the second highest onshore wind capacity factor at 37.3% – only behind Northern Ireland. In fact, wind power alone produces over 11GW in Scotland, accounting for 39% of the UK’s total capacity.
Solar power plays a smaller role in Scotland with solar systems running at 16% of their maximum potential. Notably, in 2022, Scotland hit a major milestone by generating 113% of its electricity needs from renewables – producing more green energy than it consumed.
Earning a final score of 7.58/10, Yorkshire and the Humber ranks second in the UK’s renewable energy landscape. The region records an average wind speed of 5.83 m s⁻¹ (metres per second), and has the fourth highest wind energy output at 32.3%, projected to peak at 56.1% in 2040.
In March, Hull City Council also approved a £200 million Yorkshire Energy Park aimed at attracting investment in clean energy. Otherwise, the region benefits from an average monthly surface solar radiation of 220.67 W/m² (Watts per square metre) and has seen a staggering 221% year-on-year increase in solar installations.
The East of England comes in third place (7.32/10) thanks to an average monthly surface solar radiation of 240.85 W/m². Its solar systems run at a commendable capacity factor of 18.1% – the second most efficient in the UK. Areas such as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire which enjoy around 1,638 hours of sunshine annually, are well-suited for solar energy production.
Three major solar farms approved in July are also set to collectively contribute about two-thirds of last year’s total installed solar energy. While slightly lower than the neighbouring region of the East Midlands (30.6%), the East of England’s onshore wind systems operate at a notable capacity factor of 29.7%.
Britain’s capital ranked the lowest for renewable energy generation
The West Midlands is the lowest ranking UK region for renewable energy potential, achieving a score of just 5.89/10. With an average monthly surface solar radiation of 214.19 W/m², solar systems in the region are less productive running at a capacity factor of 16.1%. Additionally, with the second lowest wind speed at just 5.55 m s⁻¹, its onshore wind systems operate at a capacity factor of just 26.8%.
The region is, however, taking proactive steps to boost renewable energy output, with the West Midlands Combined Authority approved to invest £707 million earlier this year to support the transition to net zero.
London is the second-lowest ranking region for renewable energy potential, scoring a mere 6.31/10. The capital’s dense urban environment poses challenges for solar and wind energy production. But its focus on utilising large rooftop spaces for commercial solar installations (8,208 units) has yielded positive results. Despite having the lowest installed solar capacities in the UK, London’s solar systems are notably efficient with a capacity factor of 17.8% – ranking third nationally.
Wind energy, however, remains limited with onshore wind systems operating at a capacity factor of just 26% – nearly 12% lower than Northern Ireland (38%).
