UK’s wind output sets new record at 14.9 GW

Generation from Britain’s onshore and offshore wind farms reached a record high level of 14.9 GW last Wednesday, covering 33% of demand.

According to data by grid operator National Grid, this beats a previous record of 14.5 GW, set on November 9, 2018. The record-high output on November 28 was registered between 1800 and 1830 local time, analysis by Drax Electric Insights shows.

Meanwhile, National Grid said in a Twitter post that wind farms produced 32.2% of UK’s total power during the whole day. While wind was the top renewables sources on November 28, gas accounted for 23.5% of the country’s total power, while nuclear and coal were responsible for 17.9% and 8.7%, respectively. Biomass provided 8% and 1.7% came from hydropower.

Wind continued to dominate Britain’s power output on the next day as well, accounting for 32% of all electricity produced, followed by gas, with a share of 25%, and nuclear with 18.1%.

“As well as tackling climate change, wind is good for everyone who has to pay an electricity bill, as the cost of new offshore wind has fallen spectacularly so it’s now cheaper than new gas and nuclear projects, and onshore wind is the cheapest power source of all,” said RenewableUK’s executive director Emma Pinchbeck.

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