UK Carbon Intensity

API

Official real-time carbon intensity data for Great Britain

Overview

The UK Carbon Intensity API provides real-time (30-minute intervals) and historical carbon intensity metrics (gCO₂/kWh) for Great Britain, plus fuel mix breakdowns (gas, wind, solar, etc.). Key endpoints include /intensity (current data), /intensity/date (daily history), and /generation (fuel type contributions). Responses are JSON-formatted. Use cases: build apps to optimize energy use for low-carbon periods, integrate into smart home systems, or create sustainability dashboards for businesses/education. Developed by National Grid, it’s the authoritative source for GB’s grid carbon data.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://carbon-intensity.github.io/api-definitions/#carbon-intensity-api-v1-0-0')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful API
JSON response format
No authentication required
Real-time & historical data
Fuel mix breakdowns
30-minute updates

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is UK Carbon Intensity free to use?

Yes, the API is free for both public and commercial use without charges.

? Does it require an API Key?

No, authentication is not needed for any endpoints.

? What is the response format?

All responses are in JSON format, widely supported for application integration.

Top Alternatives

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Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Environment

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Official National Grid source
⊕ Easy to integrate
⊕ Comprehensive endpoints
⊕ Free access
⊕ Detailed fuel insights

Cons

⊖ Limited to Great Britain (excludes NI)
⊖ Potential rate limits for high usage
⊖ No enterprise SLA
⊖ Electricity grid-only data