Q3 2023: Capacity and production statistics

Gas-fired power stations produced 20 TWh over the three months to September, down one-third on the same time last year. At the same time coal generation fell by more than half to under 0.5 TWh.

The weather was one driver of these falls, as a cooler summer and milder September contributed towards demand falling by 5%, and higher wind speeds pushed offshore wind output up by a third to deliver 9 TWh over the quarter.

While nuclear output was down again on last year, it is showing signs of recovery. Output in September was 10% higher than in the same month last year.

Power prices continued falling, averaging £77/MWh over the third quarter, down 12% on quarter 2. However, balancing prices edged upwards toward record levels, averaging just under £12/MWh (15% of the wholesale price). This is six times higher than the £2.10/MWh average seen during the 2010s.

Britain’s electricity supply mix in the third quarter of 2023

Installed capacity and electricity produced by each technology ^{1 2}