Wind is UK's top power source for a week

Wind farms were responsible for generating more electricity than any other source in the UK for seven days in a row -- between March 8 and March 14, trade body RenewableUK announced on Friday.

According to statistics by independent analysts Aurora Energy Research, the UK’s onshore and offshore wind parks produced 35.6% of the country's total electricity, with offshore wind alone accounting for 21.4%. Around 31.2% and 21.3% of the country’s power in the period came from natural gas and nuclear power, respectively, while the share of biomass-fired generation was 6.7%.

Commenting on the data, Emma Pinchbeck, RenewableUK’s deputy chief executive said that this shows how the country’s modern energy mix is changing, “with low-cost wind energy becoming the backbone of our clean energy system.”

The increased wind power output in the seven days has contributed to achieving lower-than-usual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the power sector for this time of the year, of 157 grams per kWh, data by Electric Insights shows.

These statistics come a week after the offshore wind sector deal between the government and the industry was announced. Under it, the UK’s installed offshore wind capacity will grow to over 30 GW by 2030 from 7.9 GW now.

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