According to the latest data released by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the country’s solar power capacity had reached nearly 18 GW by the end of January 2025.

In January 2025, the UK added 69 MW of new solar power capacity. Although this figure is lower than the 241 MW recorded in January 2024, the statistics are provisional and may be revised as more data becomes available. By the end of 2024, the UK’s total installed capacity was revised upward to 17.8 GW, an increase of 200 MW compared with the previously reported 17.6 GW.

As part of the UK’s grid decarbonization strategy, the government has set a target to deploy 45 GW of solar power capacity by the end of 2030.

To promote the development of solar projects, Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband has signed a series of Development Consent Orders (DCOs). These approvals will expand the number of gigawatt-scale authorized PV projects, with more utility-scale solar projects expected to be granted in 2025.

In addition, the UK’s proposed new Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme also acknowledges the need to deploy more NSIP-scale PV projects and suggests extending the commissioning window for eligible solar projects in order to support further PV project development.