UK wind power sets new generation record

A new electricity generation record was set yesterday by the UK's onshore and offshore wind farms, which generated of 19,936MW of electricity in a half hour period.

The new record was set between 11.30am and 12 noon yesterday (26 October), beating the previous record of 19,916MWthat was set on 25th May this year.

The statistics, highlighted by trade body RenewableUK, were provided by National Grid ESO and show that the technologies were providing more than half of Britain’s electricity at the time.  

At the new half-hourly peak, UK wind farms were generating 52.2% of the nation’s electricity, while over the course of yesterday as a whole, wind generated 50% of the country’s power.

Although this represents a new generation record, the highest percentage of electricity generated from wind in a half-hour period is 64% that was set on 29th January this year.

RenewableUK chief executive Dan McGrail said: “As we head towards winter, it’s reassuring for people to know that Britain’s onshore and offshore wind farms are doing the heavy lifting when it comes to keeping the lights on and reducing our reliance on expensive gas imports.

“That’s why it’s important to speed up and scale up on the amount of onshore and offshore wind capacity were installing - to boost our energy security and to reduce electricity bills for consumers, as new wind projects generate electricity cheaper than any other source.”

Read the latest issue of the OGV Energy magazine HERE