How Wind and Solar Power Saved the UK £1.7 Billion in Gas Imports During the Iran Conflict
Introduction
When the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February 2026, global energy markets spiraled into turmoil. Gas prices skyrocketed, threatening the UK with massive import bills. But thanks to a surge in wind and solar electricity generation, the nation dodged a bullet—avoiding gas imports worth £1.7 billion over two months. This guide explains step by step how renewable energy achieved this feat, cutting gas-fired generation by a third and setting new records. You’ll discover the key actions, data points, and infrastructure that turned a crisis into a showcase for clean energy.
What You Need to Understand the Shift
- Access to electricity generation data – from sources like the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and Carbon Brief analysis.
- Knowledge of UK’s electricity grid – Great Britain’s system (England, Scotland, Wales) is separate from Northern Ireland’s.
- Understanding of gas import costs – prices spiked due to war; avoided costs based on trading LNG rates.
- Familiarity with terawatt-hours (TWh) – the unit used for bulk electricity generation.
- Awareness of energy mix trends – the transition from fossil fuels to renewables over the past decade.
Step-by-Step Guide: How Renewables Saved Billions
Step 1: Rapidly Scale Up Wind and Solar Capacity
In the years leading up to 2026, the UK massively increased its renewable energy infrastructure. Wind farms (offshore and onshore) and solar panel installations expanded, boosting total capacity. This expansion meant that when the Iran war began, wind and solar could generate record amounts—21 TWh from late February through April 2026. Without this capacity, the grid would have relied on expensive gas.
Step 2: Maximize Output During Conflict-Induced Gas Crisis
As conflict disrupted global gas supplies, prices soared. Renewable generators were already at peak performance due to favorable weather conditions (windy spring and sunny spells). Operators reprioritized grid dispatch to favor zero-carbon sources. The result: wind and solar generated more than double the electricity from fossil fuels during the period. This directly replaced the need for gas imports.
Step 3: Reduce Gas-Fired Generation to Record Lows
Because renewables met so much demand, gas plants were switched off more often. Monthly gas generation dropped nearly one-third year-on-year, reaching all-time lows for March and April. In April 2026, for example, gas provided less than 25% of electricity—far below previous years. This cut gas imports by 41 TWh, equivalent to 34 large LNG tankers.
Step 4: Achieve a Record Zero-Carbon Grid Moment
On April 22, 2026, between 15:30 and 16:00, a stunning 98.8% of electricity on the main transmission grid came from zero-carbon sources (wind, solar, nuclear, hydro). This was a new record, showing how close the UK can get to a fully clean grid. Each such moment reduces reliance on imported gas and cuts costs.
Step 5: Maintain Dominance Over Fossil Fuels for 15 Consecutive Months
Wind and solar have now outpaced fossil fuels for 15 months in a row, including the entire winter of 2025-26 for the first time. This wasn’t a one-off event but a sustained shift. The energy mix has completely flipped from a decade ago, when fossil fuels produced four times more than renewables. This long-term trend underpinned the UK’s ability to weather the Iran war without huge gas bills.
Step 6: Lower Wholesale Electricity Prices by Reducing Gas Price-Setting
Gas often sets the price of electricity in the UK market. In March and April 2026, thanks to high renewable output, gas set the price ~25% less often than during the same months in 2022 (when Russia invaded Ukraine). This reduced overall electricity costs for consumers and businesses, and further discouraged gas imports.
Tips for Replicating This Success
- Invest continuously in new wind and solar projects – even without immediate crisis, every terawatt-hour generated avoids future import costs.
- Strengthen grid interconnections and battery storage – to manage variability and ensure renewables can always meet demand.
- Monitor weather patterns and output forecasts – aligning renewable generation with high-price periods maximizes savings.
- Policy consistency – long-term government support for renewables (e.g., Contracts for Difference) gives investors confidence to build.
- Public engagement – community buy-in for new wind and solar farms reduces opposition and speeds deployment.
By following these steps, the UK has proven that renewables are not just clean but economically crucial in times of geopolitical crisis. The £1.7 billion saved is a clear signal: the path to energy security runs through wind and sun.