Country energy profile · United Kingdom · 2025
What percentage of United Kingdom’s energy comes from fossil fuels?
In 2025, fossil fuels supplied 78.9% of United Kingdom’s total energy. Oil is its largest single source. That compares with a world average of 86.2%.
Oil 43.1%, natural gas 35.0%, coal 0.8% · non-fossil 21.1%.
Source: Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy 2025 data. Site updated August 13, 2026.
United Kingdom energy mix, 2025
Share of total primary energy by source
Key facts
| Fossil-fuel share | 78.9% |
| World average | 86.2% |
| Main fossil fuel | Oil |
| Change since 2010 | -11.4 pts |
| Fossil energy per person | 71.4 GJ |
| CO₂ per person | 4.5 t |
| Fossil share of electricity | 32.0% |
| World rank, fossil energy used | #16 of 80 |
Is United Kingdom getting less dependent on fossil fuels?
Fossil-fuel share of total energy since 1965, with the absolute amount of fossil fuel used. Share and volume can move in opposite directions.
Fossil share vs. consumption
Left axis: % of primary energy · Right axis: exajoules (EJ)
Oil vs. gas vs. coal in United Kingdom
Consumption by fuel, 1965–2025
Exajoules (EJ) per year
Total energy vs. electricity
United Kingdom’s electricity has a lower fossil share than its overall energy use, because transport, heating and industry still lean heavily on oil, gas and coal.
Total energy
| Fossil share | 78.9% |
| Oil | 43.1% |
| Gas | 35.0% |
| Coal | 0.8% |
Electricity
| Fossil share | 32.0% |
| Low-carbon share | 64.8% |
| Nuclear + hydro | 14.1% |
| Wind + solar + other renewables | 50.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of United Kingdom's energy comes from fossil fuels?
In 2025, fossil fuels supplied about 78.9% of United Kingdom's total primary energy: oil 43.1%, natural gas 35.0% and coal 0.8%. The world average is 86.2%.
What is United Kingdom's main energy source?
United Kingdom's largest fossil fuel is oil. Non-fossil sources make up 21.1% of its energy.
Is United Kingdom reducing its dependence on fossil fuels?
Since 2010, United Kingdom's fossil-fuel share of energy has fallen by 11.4 percentage points, to 78.9%.
How much of United Kingdom's electricity comes from fossil fuels?
About 32.0% of United Kingdom's electricity came from fossil fuels in 2025, versus 78.9% of its total energy. Electricity is usually the lower-carbon of the two.
Compare with other countries
Source: Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy, 2025 data (annual series back to 1965). See methodology.