Wind sets new 60% of power record

National Grid ESO have confirmed that at 01.30 on Wednesday 26^th wind met 59.9% (14.2GW) of total power demand (23.7GW). The rest of the power mix at that time was made up of gas (18.8%), nuclear (15%), biomass (3,1%), imports (2.5%) and hydro/others (0.7%). 

This new record surpasses the previous highest share for wind of 59.1% set just last Saturday (22^nd). The UK currently has wind energy capacity of 24GW – 10.4GW offshore and 13.6GW onshore – and last year provided 20% of UK power. This is expected to grow rapidly this decade, with offshore wind alone expected to meet over a third of the UK’s power needs by 2030.

Ahead of next year’s auction of contracts to secure new renewable generation capacity next year, RenewableUK have highlighted that a high level of ambition could deliver new investment of £20bn and support 12,000 jobs in the UK.

Commenting on the new record, RenewableUK’s Director of Strategic Communications Luke Clark said: “Renewables are breaking records faster than anyone expected, and this new wind record is a clear signal of the future of our energy system. We need to see a huge increase in low carbon power to meet the UK’s net zero target and if we can ramp up low-cost renewables in the short term, that will boost our economic recovery and speed up the switch to low carbon heating, electric vehicle and investment in new technologies like green hydrogen”.