According to National Grid ESO, yesterday marked the first time that the UK’s onshore and offshore wind farms produced more than 20 gigawatts (GW), breaking a previous record.
It’s the second wind energy generation record to be set in a week, according to the renewables trade association RenewableUK.
The record-breaking period, from noon to 12:30 p.m., was set by UK wind generation., when it reached 20,896 megawatts (MW) — supplying a staggering 53% of the electricity used in the UK.
More good news: According to National Grid ESO, low-emission energy sources including wind, solar, nuclear, hydro, and storage supplied 70% of all the electricity used in the UK yesterday.
The previous record for wind generation, set on October 26 between 11:30 a.m. and noon, was surpassed by the wind generation set yesterday. and noon, when it reached 19,936 GW.
It’s good news as the UK prepares for winter and faces a natural gas shortage as a result of Russia’s interruption of supply in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
RenewableUK’s chief executive Dan McGrail said:
“A new milestone for wind energy in Britain was reached with the first production of more than 20 GW of electricity. The fact that we broke the previous record in just one week demonstrates that wind energy is steadily producing enormous amounts of clean power and is establishing itself as the foundation of our contemporary energy system.
Wind becoming the UK’s most affordable source of new energy also helps financially strapped consumers. At a time when producing our own electricity from domestic sources has become crucial, it is also enhancing our energy security.”
Although the latest statistics reflect a new electricity generation record, the highest percentage of electricity generated from wind in a half-hour period in the On January 29, 2022, the UK has a 64% population.
Reference: https://electrek.co/2022/11/03/uk-wind-energy-generation-record-20-gw/