Record Breaking Week for Wind Power

RenewableUK is highlighting that fact that Great Britain’s onshore and offshore wind farms  generated more electricity than any other source of power last week. 

38% of our electricity was provided by wind – a new weekly record – compared to 28.5% by gas, 20.9% by nuclear, 7.3% by biomass, 2.5% by coal, 2% by hydro and 0.8% from other sources, between Monday 11^th and Sunday 17^th March, according to data supplied by independent analysts Aurora Energy Research.

Offshore wind alone generated 23.3% of our electricity last week – more than nuclear.  The new generation figures follow the announcement of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal between the Government and industry which will see the current 7,899 megawatts of offshore wind capacity in the UK grow to over 30,000MW by 2030.   

RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Emma Pinchbeck said: “We’ve had a very blustery week, and that’s good news because wind has outstripped every other power source. It’s further proof that wind is playing a central role in keeping Britain powered up at a chilly time of the year”.

“It’s also interesting to see that offshore wind outperformed nuclear, showing the way our modern energy mix is changing, with low-cost wind energy becoming the backbone of our clean energy system”.

“This comes just after the announcement of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal, which will see our industry grow to support 27,000 highly-skilled jobs by 2030, and the UK’s offshore wind supply chain generating billions every year in exports, as well as providing more goods and services for offshore wind projects in UK waters”.