New record for wind power generation across UK
WIND POWER generation hit a new record for Britain this week as renewables play an increasing role in the energy mix, figures show.
Onshore and offshore wind generated 15 gigawatts of power between 11.15am and 12.15pm on Tuesday, supplying 34.7 per cent of Britain’s electricity needs, figures from Drax Electic Insights confirmed by National Grid show.
Separate figures from the Government show the rising role of renewables, which made up a record third (33.1 per cent) of electricity generation from July to September, up from 30 per cent in the third quarter of 2017.
The increase in renewables pushed low-carbon electricity’s share of generation to a new record of 56 per cent over the three-month period, up from 54 per cent during the same time last year, the Business Department figures show.
The share of power generated by gas fell slightly to 38.6 per cent compared with the previous year, while coal accounted for 2.5 per cent of the mix, down from 2.9 per cent for the third quarter of 2017.
Industry body RenewableUK said a record amount of offshore wind infrastructure was installed in 2018, with more than two gigawatts of capacity becoming operational, enough to power more than 2.3 million homes.
It included the world’s largest operational offshore wind farm, Walney Extension, which officially opened off the coast of Cumbria in September, powering nearly 600,000 homes.
With the opening of Walney Extension, the UK hit a historic milestone of 20 gigawatts of onshore and offshore wind generation capacity.
That is enough to power more than 14 million homes throughout the year and cut carbon emissions by 25 million tonnes a year, RenewableUK said. Executive director Emma Pinchbeck said: “Setting a new wind energy generation record in December is a great Christmas gift in an exceptional year for the UK’s worldleading renewable energy industries – we’ve smashed record after record.
“In the years ahead, the electricity system will be smarter and cleaner for people.”