Accredited official statistics: Renewables obligation: certificates and generation - July 2026

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's latest accredited official statistics on the Renewables Obligation (RO) may not look like essential reading for the average electrician, but they give a useful picture of where Britain's electricity now comes from. The RO has been one of the main support mechanisms for large-scale renewable generation since 2002. Generators such as onshore and offshore wind farms, solar farms and biomass plants receive Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) for each unit of eligible electricity they produce, and electricity suppliers must present certificates to show they have sourced part of their supply from renewables. The scheme closed to new capacity in 2017 and has largely been replaced by Contracts for Difference. However, thousands of accredited stations still generate under it, and support will continue until the scheme ends in 2037. These regular statistics show how much renewable electricity is being produced and certified, and they track the long-term shift away from fossil fuels that is reshaping the industry electricians work in. For trainees and qualified electricians, the main point is that renewable generation is now a permanent part of the electrical landscape rather than a niche. Many RO-accredited sites are well into their second decade of operation. That brings steady demand for maintenance, fault-finding, periodic inspection and, in some cases, repowering or upgrading of ageing equipment. Large solar farms in particular need people who understand DC systems, inverters, string testing and the safe isolation of circuits that cannot simply be switched off while daylight is present. At the domestic and commercial scale, the same trend shows up in rising demand for rooftop solar PV, battery storage and installations where homes and businesses both use and export electricity. Electricians increasingly need to understand bidirectional power flows, grid connection requirements under G98 and G99, and how these systems interact with protective devices and earthing arrangements. This is where training and qualifications come in. A solid foundation through the Level 2 and Level 3 electrical installation diplomas, followed by NVQ Level 3 competence assessment, remains the route to becoming a fully qualified electrician. Staying current with BS 7671 is also essential, as the 18th Edition contains specific requirements for solar PV installations in Section 712, along with provisions for prosumer installations and battery storage. Inspection and testing skills are increasingly valuable as the existing stock of renewable installations ages and needs periodic verification. For electricians who want to move into this sector, dedicated solar PV and battery storage training offers a practical way to build specialist knowledge. Statistics like these suggest that this specialism will remain relevant for many years to come.