New wind energy generation record set for the third time in a year

Wind generated 20.918 gigawatts (GW) of electricity in the half-hour period between 6 and 6.30pm on Friday, beating the previous record of 20.896GW set on 2^nd November and reaching a new high for the third time in a year.

National Grid ESO also announced that a new record was set on the same day for the percentage of low-carbon electricity (renewables and nuclear) generated in a half-hour  period, which reached 87.2%. Overall, wind provided 61.4% of Britain’s electricity that day.

RenewableUK's CEO Dan McGrail said: "These new electricity generation records shows just how important onshore and offshore wind has become in our modern energy system. Wind power is playing a central role in keeping UK homes and businesses powered up at the coldest time of the year. 

“Wind is now the UK's cheapest source of new power, so every unit of electricity we generate from it helps consumers by reducing our reliance on expensive gas imports. Investing in more wind and other renewables is vital in tackling the cost of living crisis for hard-pressed bill payers.

"It's great to see that we've also reached a new high of nearly 90% of our electricity generated by low carbon sources, as it demonstrates the enormous progress which the UK has made in moving away from fossil fuels, getting us closer to our net zero goal".