UK wind energy generation smashes record again

Wind energy in the UK set another record last week, with new figures revealing that more than 15GW of renewable energy was generated by wind technologies on Friday (8 February).


UK wind energy generation smashes record again

Redcar Wind Farm

National Grid has confirmed that wind energy generation reached 15.32GW late last week, accounting for 36% of Britain’s electricity needs. The new figure surpasses the previous record for wind energy generation of 15.04GW, which was set on 18 December 2018.

Commenting on another record-breaking moment for UK wind energy, RenewableUK’s executive director Emma Pinchbeck said: “At one of the coldest times of the year, when we need it most, wind is generating over a third of Britain’s power needs, setting a new clean energy record. It’s yet another demonstration of how our energy mix is shifting to renewables, with onshore and offshore wind in the vanguard.

“Onshore wind is already the cheapest source of new power in the UK and can make a major contribution to meeting our carbon reduction targets and keeping bills down”. 

Defining year

The record was set on 8 February, between 12.15 and 1.45pm and sees 2019 continue to build on a defining 2018 for wind technologies. The 18 December record, for example, broke the previous record for wind generation which was set less than three weeks before (28 November 2018).

In the first quarter of 2018, renewable energy’s share of electricity generation hit a new record high, with wind accounting for nearly a fifth of total UK electricity generation (19.1%), outstripping nuclear power (17.9%).

Wind farms in Scotland generated enough power to account for more than 100% of the country’s electricity demand in November 2018, according to figures from WeatherEnergy.

As for new installations, RenewableUK figures show that more than 2GW of offshore windfarms became operational in UK waters during 2018, a record-breaking amount.

The industry body believes that growth will continue over the next decade. The new offshore sector deal is set to see the offshore wind sector generate at least a third of UK electricity by 2030. RenewableUK believes this will secure £48bn of new investment and support 27,000 highly skilled jobs.

British companies are among the most likely to reap the rewards from the growth of the global offshore wind sector, which is set to be worth more than £30bn annually by 2030.

Matt Mace

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