Wind grew to 7.7% of the UK’s mix from 5.5% in 2012, a trend welcomed by industry group RenewableUK.

“There has been a steady decline of UK production of traditional energy sources, so we need to make sure there is something replacing that – and wind is increasingly playing that role,” said Maria McCaffery, chief executive.

The initial conclusions suggest that conventional fossil fuel production is falling, including from “eye wateringly expensive” imported gas, she added.

“Each