RenewableUK is highlighting the second wind energy generation record to be set within the space of a week, as Britain’s onshore and offshore wind farms generated more than 20 gigawatts (GW) for the first time on Wednesday 2nd November, according to National Grid ESO.
The record was set during the half hour period from 12.00 noon to 12.30pm, when wind generation reached 20,896 megawatts (MW), providing 53% of Britain’s electricity.
National Grid ESO noted that 70% of the UK’s electricity was provided by low carbon sources overall on Wednesday (wind, solar, nuclear, hydro and storage).
The previous record was set just a week earlier, between 11.30am and 12 noon on Wednesday 26thOctober, when wind generation reached 19,936MW.
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail said: “Generating more than 20 gigawatts of electricity for the first time represents a new milestone for wind energy in Britain. The fact that we’ve smashed the last record within the space of a week shows that wind is consistently generating vast amounts of clean power and becoming the backbone of our modern energy system.
“This benefits hard-pressed billpayers too, because wind has become the UK’s cheapest source of new power. It’s also strengthening our energy security at a time when generating our own electricity from home-grown sources has become vitally important”.
Although the latest statistics represent a new electricity generation record, the highest percentage of electricity generated from wind in a half-hour period is 64% on 29th January this year.
