Turbines almost meeting Scottish electricity usage

Wind turbines generated the equivalent of 98% of all Scotland’s electricity demand in October, according to new analysis.

WWF Scotland said that National Grid demand for the month was 1,850,512 MWH and that almost all of this could have been provided by wind turbines, which provided record levels of power.

Turbines generated the equivalent of enough to power nearly five million homes in October.

The best day was October 23 when turbines generated 105,900.94 MWH, enough to power 8.72 million homes or 356% of Scottish households, according to analysis of data from Weatherenergy. Dr Sam Gardner, acting director at WWF Scotland, said: “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.”

On the month’s worst day, generation was enough to power 1,512,568 homes; 62% of Scottish households.

The world’s largest and most-powerful wind turbine, at the Methil Offshore Wind Farm.