Live tracker

GB grid carbon intensity

How clean Great Britain's electricity is right now, and what's generating it — a live read on the grid, from National Grid ESO.

Last checked 20 September 2026, 12:27 · National Grid ESO

Carbon intensity nowlow

37 gCO₂/kWh

89.1% of power is currently low-carbon (78.8% renewables). A good time to run the dishwasher, washing machine or charge an EV.

wind 51.8%solar 26.1%nuclear 10.3%gas 7.5%biomass 1.8%other 1.3%

Grid carbon intensity — gCO₂/kWh23 Jul – 20 Sept

What it means (and doesn't)

Carbon intensity is the CO₂ emitted per unit of electricity, and it swings through the day with how much wind and solar are on the system. It's a nice way to time flexible use — but it isn't a warning system: a "high" reading means today's power is more fossil-fired, not that the lights are at risk. For actual supply risk, the grid is balanced second-by-second and has layers of tools before any disconnection.

How the grid stays up: the blackout scenario, calmly

Live power cuts

Actual supply, right now →

Power stations

Backup power, compared →

Source: National Grid ESO Carbon Intensity API. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Data from National Grid ESO's Carbon Intensity API.