Britain’s gas-fired power stations supplied up to half of the country’s electricity during this summer’s heatwaves, as periods of hot and still weather reduced wind generation and increased demand.
The weather pattern, known as Hitzeflaute or Heat Lull, has occurred during four extended periods of at least three days since the start of summer.
Gas generators produced an average 36% of Britain’s electricity during these spells, rising to 50% on the 30th June. Gas supplied 353GWh that day, compared with 79GWh from wind and 32GWh from net interconnector imports.
Gas generation during the Hitzeflaute periods averaged 257GWh a day in 2026 which is more than 20% higher than the 212GWh recorded up to mid-August last year.
The strain was also felt across Europe, where heat and drought forced nuclear plants in France, Romania and Hungary to reduce output and made electricity imports into Britain less reliable.
The figures highlight the continued role of gas in balancing Britain’s growing renewable energy sector.
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