United Kingdom Portable Generator Market Size Analysis - Market Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook Report (2025-2034)

United Kingdom Portable Generator Market Growth

The growth of the United Kingdom portable generator market is driven by rising power consumption and increasing industrial production. As the economic hub of Europe, the United Kingdom is a furnishing ground of several major industries including construction, healthcare, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying, which require uninterrupted power supply throughout their operational phase. Since the region’s age-old power infrastructure serves a limited purpose in this regard, industries are increasingly shifting to alternative power solutions such as portable generators which are easy to install, provide an efficient source of backup, and produce enough output to operate the main supply during emergencies.

Additionally, increased power consumption is also a key factor contributing to the growth of the United Kingdom portable generator industry. According to Gridwatch, an independent watchdog for power consumption and demand in the UK, the estimated power consumption in 2024 is 32.85 gigawatts, of which 43% will be generated by the renewable energy sector. This is increasing the demand for regular electric generators as well as renewable energy-based generators in the country.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

Frequent power outages, expansion of construction sector, and focus on renewable power generation, are accelerating the United Kingdom portable generator market value.

July 2024

BOBCAT announced the launch of its new PG40 and PG50 portable generators powered by Stage V D24 engines and Stamford alternators. They were known to deliver increased power output and lower fuel consumption, in comparison to their receding models. Moreover, the D24 engine in the new generators was more powerful and produced a higher output.

August 2023

Jackery, a leading supplier of eco-friendly portable generators in the UK, launched two new power stations focusing primarily on mobility. These included the new Explorer 1000 Plus and the Explorer 300 Plus. While the former was ideal for compact housing and offered a capacity of 1.26 kWh, expandable to 5 kWh, the latter was ultra-compact and could fit in a bag, being the smallest and lightest model in its new flagship series Explorer Plus.

February 2023

Jackery, a well-known solar power generator supplier, expanded into the United Kingdom and across Europe with the launch of its new Solar Generator 1500 Pro, also known as “The Apple of Solar Generators”. It generated 1800 watts of power and could be fully refuelled in under two hours. The product was ideal for charging devices during travelling and outstays in the cold weather of the countries, as it could withstand -20°C to 40 degrees of temperatures, besides being fire-resistant, weather-proof and shock-proof.

December 2022

EcoFlow, a leading eco-power brand, and a major supplier of power tools, launched a smart dual-fuel generator that supported both propane and standard gas as fuel sources. It was known for higher efficiency, lesser fuel consumption, reduced carbon emissions, and lesser noise generation. Besides, it produced 20kWh of electrical output with propane which was enough to meet the power needs of an entire family during an emergency.

Frequent Power Outages Propelling the Portable Generator Demand Growth in United Kingdom

The rural and remote areas of the United Kingdom, especially in Scotland and Wales, face frequent challenges of power shortages and outages indicating the instability of grid systems in the region. Moreover, outdated power infrastructure leads to delayed recoveries, often prolonged by adverse weather conditions. For instance, in August 2024, a reported power cut in Edinburgh, Scotland caused huge disruption on the first day of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which was later cancelled and relocated due to the prolonged duration of power cut recovery. Such power outage events have increased the need for portable generators, leading to the United Kingdom portable generator market growth.

Growing Popularity of Outdoor Recreational Activities Fueling the Growth of United Kingdom Portable Generator Market

Outdoor events and activities such as camping, glamping, music festivals, and associated events, propelled by the growing tourism industry, require an easy-to-install, high-capacity portable electrical supply to power lighting and sound systems. Portable generators are an ideal choice of power source for such events, owing to their high output, compact design, and minimal hardware requirements for installations. Moreover, they can easily be charged using portable batteries and USB ports. In the census 2021, the UK government estimated a growth of 0.2 million overseas visitors to the UK in a single month, between May and June 2022. The visits have been growing since and are expected to continue during the forecast period, increasing the number of outdoor leisure activities organised in the country, thereby propelling the portable generator demand.

Expanding Construction Sector Creating New United Kingdom Portable Generator Market Opportunities

UK’s expanding construction sector is creating new opportunities for portable generator manufacturers, as construction sites are demanding a continuous power supply to operate construction tools and complete the ongoing projects within the prescribed deadline. Moreover, portable generators are also used for miscellaneous applications, such as powering light systems, lifts, and communication devices at construction sites. Government data suggests that new construction project allocations in the UK increased by 11.4% between 2021 and 2022, with major contributors being the private infrastructure, private commercial, and public non-housing sectors. As this trend continues to grow during the coming years, the demand for portable generators at construction sites is expected to witness a sharp surge.

Increased Focus on Clean Energy Solutions Leading to United Kingdom Portable Generator Market Development

Growing concerns over environmental sustainability and the need to reduce carbon emissions are encouraging consumers and manufacturers to invest in renewable energy-based portable generators. These generators have a minimal carbon footprint and are cost-effective in terms of fuel intake. Thus, key players are leveraging the benefits of renewable energy to manufacture portable generators in the market. For instance, Ecoflow, a well-established brand for renewable-energy power tools in the UK, released its new Delta Pro 3 portable solar generator in 2024, with the capacity to power an entire home during a blackout.

United Kingdom Portable Generator Market Trends

Rising Adoption of Home Office Setups Increasing the Overall United Kingdom Portable Generator Market Revenue

Establishments are increasingly allocating work from home to their employees to cut their expenses. Remote work cultures demand permanent office setups that must be powered with a continuous electrical supply for enhanced productivity during working hours, leading to a growing demand for portable generators. According to Census 2021, 16% of working adults reported permanently working from home throughout the week, and 28% reported working in a hybrid mode between September 2022 to January 2023. With growing popularity and preference for remote work in the coming years, these values shall witness a sharp increase leading to the growing demand for portable generators in home office setups.

United Kingdom Portable Generator Industry Segmentation

“United Kingdom Portable Generator Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Fuel Type

• Gas
• Diesel
• Others

Market Breakup by Power Rating

• Below 5 kW
• 5-10 kW
• Above 10 kW

Market Breakup by Application

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Infrastructure

Market Breakup by Region

• England
• Wales
• Northern-Ireland
• Scotland

United Kingdom Portable Generator Market Share

Demand for Diesel Portable Generator is Increasing Due to the Introduction of Biodiesel

The introduction of biodiesel is significantly boosting the long-term demand for diesel-based portable generators in the country. They are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel and have a low carbon emission footprint. Moreover, they are extremely cost-effective and are made from biowaste such as discarded vegetable oils and animal fats. To increase their consumption, many power product manufacturers have introduced biodiesel as an alternative fuel into their already operational portable diesel gensets. For instance, in December 2021, Cummins Inc. approved the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in its entire line of diesel generator sets, specifically for standby applications.

Besides, natural gas also provides a cleaner fuel source for portable generators and accounts for a large share of the United Kingdom portable generator market. According to government reports, 29% of natural gas in 2023 was consumed for electricity generation, which included the manufacturing of portable generators. Their popularity as a low-carbon emission fuel source and economical prices have increased the preference for gas-based portable generators in households, businesses, and industries seeking backup power solutions.

Increased Usage in Commercial and Residential Sectors Aiding in the United Kingdom Portable Generator Market Expansion

As per the United Kingdom portable generator market analysis, commercial and residential sectors account for the largest share of the portable generator market in the United Kingdom in terms of application. This is due to the high electricity consumption recorded by the sectors coupled with the frequent complaints of power disruptions. A government report published in 2023 suggested that the top 3 electricity suppliers in the UK which accounted for 47% of the total supply, had 46% of the customers from residential and commercial sectors each. With rapid urbanisation and residential construction in the country, this share is expected to grow in the coming years, raising the demand for electricity in residential and commercial applications, thereby propelling the consumption of portable generators.

United Kingdom Portable Generator Market Regional Analysis

England is Leading the Portable Generator Market Share in United Kingdom Owing to Its Robust Construction Sector Growth

England is leading the United Kingdom portable generator market due to high demand from the construction sector which has been growing due to new and emerging development projects in private housing and commercial segments. According to government estimates, monthly construction output in England was estimated to have increased by 0.4% in August 2024, a 0.8% rise from the previous month. Moreover, new developmental projects grew by 1.6% during this period, increasing the building activities at construction sites. In the need for a consistent power supply during work, most of these sites deployed high-capacity portable generators. Their reliable and high output made them an ideal alternative and main source of power.

Besides, the demand for portable generators in Scotland is largely driven by its highly developed service sector, especially the healthcare, and hospitality industries. Government data estimated a 0.5% increase in the service sector output during the first quarter of 2024, with hotels and catering services, two major segments of the hospitality industry, accounting for 0.7% of the headline growth.

Competitive Landscape

United Kingdom portable generator market key players are expanding their product portfolio to include various types and capacities of portable generators such as solar generators, dual fuel generators, and inverter generators to fuel their market growth. Additionally, the integration of advanced technologies such as real-time power consumption monitoring is increasing the overall efficiency of the market.

Atlas Copco AB

Atlas Copco AB, a Swedish multinational industrial firm was founded in, 1873. In the initial phase, the company was set up as a manufacturer, seller, and distributor of railway parts and components and with time it expanded its product portfolio to include industrial tools and power equipment. Currently, it operates in four segments, namely, compressor technology, vacuum technology, power technology, and industrial technology.

Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Inc., is one of the leading manufacturers of construction, mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company was founded in 1925. Presently, the major brands of Caterpillar that focus on generators include Cat, FG Wilson, Solar Turbines, and Perkins.

Siemens AG

Siemens AG is a German company with a focus on energy technology and manufacturing. It was formed in 1966 with its headquarters in Germany. The company currently operates in over 200 countries and offers various products and services which include power generation, energy management, transportation, telecommunications, and medical engineering.

Cummins Inc.

Headquartered in Columbus, United States, Cummins Inc. is an American multinational firm that designs, manufactures, and distributes engines, filtration, and power generation products. The company was founded in 1919. Initially, Cummins focused on the manufacturing of diesel engines and then expanded its business to other verticals. In 1992, Cummins Inc. acquired Onan, which was later rebranded into Cummins Power Systems, the segment managing its power products, including portable generators worldwide.

Other key players considered in the United Kingdom portable generator market report are Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd. (Himoinsa S.L.), Generac Holdings Inc., Briggs & Stratton, LLC, Honda Motor Co. Ltd., INMESOL S.L.U, and Wacker Neuson SE, among others.