UK wind power reaches 5GW mark

UK wind energy has today (September 23) passed the 5GW energy generation mark creating enough electricity for almost three million homes a year.


The 5GW landmark was achieved by the commissioning of two wind farm developments this month.

Vattenfall’s 300 megawatt (MW) Thanet offshore wind farm, which came on-stream today.

And the expansion of Fred Olsen Renewables’ Crystal Rig 200MW onshore wind farm in the Scottish Borders in early September.

RenewableUK chief executive Maria McCaffery MBE, said: “Today’s developments are of tremendous significance for meeting our long term renewable energy targets.

“In 2002 the UK was generating around 2% of all electricity from renewable, we are now on the threshold of 10%, having increased outputs five fold.

“This demonstrates that, considering the current pipeline of projects, 2020 targets are realistic and achievable, provided the policies are in place.”

In the Renewable Energy Strategy published in 2009, the Government outlined a scenario for the UK to reach around 30% of electricity from wind by 2020 in order to meet EU targets on reducing carbon emissions.

Luke Walsh

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