UK renewables news round‑up, December 2025
Each month we’ll share the latest developments from the UK renewables sector.
The UK’s renewable energy sector closed the year with remarkable momentum, marked by record‑breaking generation, major policy shifts and renewed international investment. December saw unprecedented wind and solar output, projections for the greenest Christmas on record, and fresh planning reforms designed to accelerate deployment across England. Alongside this, new data releases and significant backing from global investors underline a sector that is not only expanding rapidly but becoming an increasingly central pillar of the UK’s energy future.
Record‑breaking renewable generation across the UK
NESO data shows the UK hit multiple new wind generation records in mid‑December, with over 22.5GW of wind operating at peak. The surge highlights both the strength of UK renewables and the rising cost of curtailment.
https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/solar-pv/renewable-power-generation-breaks-records-in-uk-curtailment-increasingly-costly
Britain on track for its greenest Christmas
NESO projected that Christmas Day could see the lowest carbon intensity ever recorded on the UK grid, thanks to strong wind and solar output and favourable weather conditions.
Planning reforms boost solar deployment
Revised National Planning Policy Framework guidance strengthens support for renewable energy projects in England.
Key changes include:
Stronger language requiring planners to give “significant weight” to renewable energy benefits
Removal of previous barriers that allowed councils to reject solar farms on food‑production grounds
https://solarenergyuk.org/news/solar-industry-welcomes-english-planning-reforms/
UK solar generation hits new annual record
NESO data shows 18,314 GWh of solar generation in 2025, up nearly 30% on the previous year, driven by increased capacity and favourable weather. Solar now accounts for 6.3% of Great Britain’s electricity mix.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/18/new-annual-record-for-uk-solar-generation/
Government confirms solar deployment statistics release
DESNZ announced that official December solar PV deployment statistics will be published on 29 January 2026.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/solar-pv-deployment-december-2025
Major Japanese investment in UK solar & wind
Tokyo Century acquires 49% stakes in two UK renewable assets - the 67MW Breach solar farm in England and the 46MW Crossdykes onshore wind farm in Scotland.
This co‑investment with Octopus Energy Generation signals continued international confidence in the UK renewables market.
https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/solar-finance/tokyo-century-scores-stakes-in-octopus-energy-generation-solar-onshore-wind-plants
Large mixed renewable scheme wins conditional approval
East Ayrshire Council has given conditional backing to a 415MW hybrid renewable project, combining wind, solar and long‑duration battery storage at the Hagshaw Energy Cluster. Final approval now rests with Scottish Ministers.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/councils-conditional-backing-green-energy-114053300.html
