Wind power sets another generation record - reaching over 20 gigawatts for first time

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.

Overall, wind generated 55% of our electricity over the course of that day. National Grid ESO noted that more than 70% of Britain'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 26^th October, 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 29^th January this year.