Renewables boosted as UK imports no Russian gas for a year.

The UK has gone a full year without importing any Russian gas – in a boost for the country’s energy security.

New figures published today show the UK did not import any Russian gas in the 12 months to end of March 2023, while UK gas exports to Europe tripled over the same period.

It comes as Ofgem announced a reduction in the energy price cap, which will see household bills fall by around £430.

Today’s figures also show renewables generated a record 46.2 per cent of UK electricity from major power producers over the past 3 months. This is up from just 3.5 per cent for the same period in 2010.

The decisive action taken by the UK to ban Russian gas, support European allies and increase the amount of energy generated from renewable sources is helping to kick Putin out of the global energy market and drive down bills.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones commented: “The news on the price cap means average energy bills will fall by around £430 from July. This is positive and comes after massive support for bill payers over last winter and ongoing focussed support for the least well-off.

“We now need to continue our work to produce more of the energy we use from low carbon sources. Producing nearly half of our electricity from low carbon sources really is a phenomenal achievement particularly when you consider where we were in 2010.”

The Powering Up Britain plan published in March set out the UK’s ambitious plans to scale up affordable, clean, homegrown power and build thriving green industries – boosting the country’s energy security and independence and reducing household bills for the long term.