Biomass Sets New UK Power Generation Records

Biomass had the best year to date in electricity generation in the UK as a reliable and dispatchable renewable energy source. The latest report from Drax Electric Insights, dated 3 December 2025, indicates that on a calm and cloudy September morning with tremendous demand for electricity, biomass produced an all-time high of 17% of the total electricity generated in the United Kingdom. July also marked the sector’s highest-ever monthly contribution and a new daily output peak.

Source: https://www.drax.com/

This research shows that there is a big shift taking place in the way we produce and use energy in the UK. A large increase in the use of electricity from electric vehicles (EVs), heat pumps and the rapid growth of data centres means that there will be an increased demand for electricity that is readily available and reliable. According to Imperial College London, the impact of weather on electricity supply is growing. Therefore, biomass will continue to be a major part of the energy mix in the UK because of its contribution to the ability of the grid to cope with changes in demand as a result of changing weather patterns.

The Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire is the largest renewable generator in Great Britain and serves as a model of how biomass can be used as a source of stabilisation for power systems. Drax has invested in significant amounts of storage for wood pellets to be used in its power plants and has developed a global supply chain to source pellets from a variety of regions. Drax's electricity-generating units provide energy when it is needed and are dependent on the use of stable and reliable sources of energy. In addition to generating renewable energy, Drax is also responsible for supporting ancillary services such as voltage support and grid inertia, essential for ensuring the reliability of the electrical system.

With the establishment of a new agreement with the UK government that will last until 2031, the use of biomass will continue to form a major component of the UK's clean and reliable energy supply for many more years.

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