WWF Scotland noted that National Grid demand for October 2018 was 1,850,512MWh, almost all of which could have been provided by wind turbines. The amount of renewable wind energy produced by the turbines was enough to power almost five million homes.

WWF Scotland’s senior director Dr Sam Gardner said: “What a month October proved to be, with wind powering on average 98% of Scotland’s entire electricity demand for the month, and exceeding our total demand for a staggering 16 out of 31 days.

“These figures clearly show wind is working, it’s helping reduce our emissions and is the lowest cost form of new power generation. It’s also popular, with a recent survey also showing more and more people support turbines in rural areas. That’s why it’s essential that the UK Government unlocks market access for onshore wind at a time when we need to be scaling up electrification of heat and transport.”

The worst performing day in terms of wind energy output last month fell on 18 October and was still enough to power more than 1.5 million households. The best day (23 October) saw 105.9MWh generated, powering 8.72 million homes.

Indeed, wind generation accounted for more than 100% of all Scottish households for 27 days last month, and accounted for more than 100% of the country’s demand for 16 days.

The data was gathered by WeatherEnergy, part of a project supported by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme.

Severn Wye Energy Agency’s weather energy project manager Alex Wilcox Brooke added: “October’s figures are a prime example of how reliable & consistent wind production can be, with production on 16 days outstripping national demand.”

A year to remember

Scotland’s wind energy sector is enjoying a record-breaking 2018. Onshore wind generated 5,353,997MWh between January and March 2018, providing enough electricity to power the equivalent of around five million homes.

Experts hailed the “incredible amount” of power produced by Scotland’s onshore wind turbines in the first quarter of 2018, which was up 44% on the first three months of last year.

The Scottish Government last year committed to delivering 50% of all energy from renewables across heat, transport and electricity. Scotland also outperformed other home nations by meeting its statutory annual climate change target for the third consecutive year, achieving a 49% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions against a 1990 baseline.

In fact, Scottish households have reduced their emissions footprint by an average of 25% in eight years, thanks to the growth of renewables and improved energy efficiency measures.

Matt Mace

Comments (2)

  1. Richard Phillips says:

    I really do marvel at the capacity of wind power enthusiasts to observe on an uninterrupted basis, power generation by mega-watt hours, and not megawatts.

    The latter tells us whether or not the power was being generated at a particular moment. Coal, gas, and nuclear, generate on demand; turbines generate when the wind blows, "grab it when you can get it."

    Its technology, not journalism, that reflects reality.

    Richard Phillips

  2. Hugh Sharman says:

    I do agree Richard! Without power from English nuclear, coal, gas and diesel engines, supported on low wind days by power from Europe, electricity supply in Scotland would have been all over the place.

    The only thing missing in this tendentious report is the Halleluja Chorus!

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