Wind and solar power saved UK £1.7bn in gas imports during Iran conflict

Impact of Renewables on Gas Imports

The United Kingdom has avoided the need for natural gas imports valued at £1.7 billion since the beginning of the war involving Iran. This reduction in import requirements is attributed to the increased deployment and output of wind and solar energy.

Record output from wind farms has contributed to boosting total clean power supplies in the UK to new highs in 2026. This surge in renewable generation has allowed power companies to reduce their use of fossil fuels to multi-year lows.

Global Energy Context

The shift toward renewables comes as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has caused significant disruptions to global energy supplies. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, which has cut off approximately one-quarter of the world's oil and natural gas supplies. Additionally, Qatar has shut down its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production with no specified date for resumption.

These disruptions have led to soaring energy costs. Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil prices, has increased by more than 50 percent since the conflict began. In Europe, solar energy helped save €3 billion in fossil fuel imports in March alone.

Strategic Shifts in Energy Policy

International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol stated that countries are likely to pivot toward renewables as a primary method to mitigate geopolitical risks. The current conflict is viewed as a potential watershed moment for the global energy transition.

In the European Union, further acceleration of photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage deployment is projected to have significant financial impacts. A scenario analysis by SolarPower Europe, modeled by Rystad Energy, finds that such a push could save the EU €223 billion ($260.7 billion) in gas imports between 2026 and 2030. This transition is also estimated to reduce wholesale electricity prices by 14% compared to 2025 levels.