What is renewable energy and what are the different types?
Understand where renewable energy comes from and how much Britain is using. Are some renewable sources better than others? And how to support the use of renewable energy?
Updated on 18th September 2025 by:
Tarek Boudour, Head of Net Zero Marketing, British Gas
What is renewable energy and how does it work?
Renewable energy is a type of energy that comes from renewable resources. Renewable energy goes by many different names – green energy, sustainable energy, alternative energy and clean energy.
What are the different types of renewable energy sources?
The major renewable energy sources are:
Each renewable source has its advantages and disadvantages and using them in combination offers the most effective path towards achieving net zero.
What are renewable energy sources?
Renewable energy comes from natural sources that are constantly replenished. This includes sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Its sustainability depends on how we harness and manage these resources.
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?
A non-renewable resource for example would be fossil fuels. These take millions of years to develop, and they’re a limited resource because we’re using them much faster than they’re being produced.
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), a greenhouse gas (GHG). Scientists are increasingly confident that this is driving significant climate change. That's why the UK is turning to renewable and low carbon energy sources, to reduce environmental impact and deliver cleaner, more sustainable power.
We’re supporting Net Zero
We’re helping the UK hit zero carbon emissions by 2050 with a mix of carbon-free technologies key to supporting the transition away from fossil fuels.
Check out Our Journey to Net Zero for more information.
Smart energy tariffs and greener home solutions
Take steps to reduce your bills and your carbon footprint. Together we can make energy work better.
What renewable energy sources do we use in Great Britain?
There are currently 6 major renewable energy sources, all of which are used to a lesser or greater extent to help power our homes and businesses across Britain and the UK helping to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing national energy security.
In 2024, zero-carbon power sources provided 51% of Britain’s electricity, with wind becoming the largest source at 30%.1 It was the cleanest year on record with a carbon intensity of 125g CO₂/kWh. Coal was used for the final time, ending over a century of coal-fired power.1
Below we explain more about each of the renewable energy sources.
Wind Power
Wind turbines use moving air to drive a generator and produce electricity both onshore and offshore. Offshore farms capture stronger, more consistent winds, helping wind become Britain’s largest source of electricity generation in 2024 at 30%.1
Advantages
Abundant resource across Britain, especially offshore.
Produces power without fuel costs or direct emissions once operational.
Disadvantages
Output depends on wind speed, so storage or backup is required.
Onshore sites can face planning objections due to visual or noise concerns.
Solar Power
The UK gets around 5% of its electricity from solar energy.1 Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy that can be used to generate electricity or be stored in batteries or thermal storage.
Advantages
Clean, renewable energy source with no fuel costs.
Low maintenance once installed and long lifespan for panels.
Disadvantages
No power generation at night and reduced output in winter.
Large surface area needed to install enough panels to power a home or business.
Hydro Energy
Hydro energy or hydroelectric energy uses the power of moving water to generate electricity through a dam or diversion structure to alter the natural flow. UK generation is steady at 2% of the electricity mix, mainly from schemes in Scotland.1
Advantages
Reliable, controllable output ideal for balancing the grid.
Helps to maintain water resources and control flooding.
Disadvantages
High capital costs and time to build.
Potential disruption to river ecosystems and fish migration.
Tidal Energy
The UK government is investing £20 million per year in Tidal Stream electricity3 and could provide around 10% of the UK’s annual electricity demand. Tidal energy is another form of hydro energy that uses tidal currents to drive turbine generators to produce electricity.
Advantages
Highly predictable and consistent output from tides.
Minimal visual impact for submerged systems.
Disadvantages
High capital and maintenance costs.
Limited viable locations; some designs can affect coastal habitats.
Biomass Energy
Biomass energy is generated from burning wood, plants and other organic matter like manure or household waste to produce electricity. It releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) when burnt but simply returns to the atmosphere the carbon that was absorbed as the plants grew.
Advantages
Provides reliable, dispatchable power.
Can use existing grid-connected power stations.
Disadvantages
Emits CO₂ unless fuel is sourced and replenished sustainably.
Large-scale biomass production may lead to loss of habitats and requires strong governance on sustainable land use.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal heat provided around 0.3% of the UK’s total heat demand in 2021 through ground source heat pumps, deep geothermal and mine geothermal systems.4
Advantages
Delivers continuous, reliable power or heat.
Low emissions and small land footprint.
Disadvantages
Limited suitable UK locations as more effective in volcanic regions.
Still early in UK electricity generation development.
British Gas and renewable energy
We’re investing in the energy systems of the future like renewable power, nuclear power and rapid-response gas power plants. This is to help ensure a secure and consistent supply for our customers and a smooth transition to renewable sources.
We’re greener than you may think
As a uniquely integrated energy and services company, we’re playing a leading role in the energy transition. Our purpose is to energise a greener fairer future and our climate transition plan explains how we’re going to deliver this.
Learn more about Our Journey to Net Zero.
Already generating your own renewable energy?
Get paid for your excess renewable energy with the SEG Scheme. Earn up to 15.1p per kWh if you’re a British Gas electricity customer on our Export and Earn Plus tariff.
Want to know more?
Additional information
-
From Britain's Electricity Explained: 2024 Review - Published 7 Jan 2025: https://www.neso.energy/news/britains-electricity-explained-2024-review
-
From Energy Trends and Prices statistical release - Published 31 July 2025: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/energy-trends-and-prices-statistical-release-31-july-2025/energy-trends-and-prices-statistical-release-31-july-2025