The latest figures provided by National Grid show that the energy output of the UK’s wind farms has, for the first time ever, exceeded 10,000MW.
At around 2pm on Wednesday December 7th, the collective output of all of the wind farms in the country reached 10,104MW – equivalent to almost a quarter (23%) of the UK’s total electricity demand. Of the total energy generated, most (7,091MW) was fed into the National Grid, while the remaining 3,013MW was used in local distribution networks.
The news is being hailed as an important sign of the effectiveness of wind power in the UK, with renewables campaign groups and energy companies alike celebrating. As costs for building renewable generators such as wind farms continue to fall, successes like this one seem more and more pivotal.
Juliet Davenport, CEO of small supplier, Good Energy, said that this demonstrates the viability of a transition towards a wholly renewable energy industry in the future.
She said: “This is a fantastic achievement for wind power and for renewables in the UK.
“Wind had transformed the way the UK has sourced electricity in recent years, so this is a great cause for celebration.
“This shows that the transition from big old fashioned power stations to local, decentralised renewable sources is here. The move to a 100% renewable future is possible and definitely within Britain’s grasp.”
Good Energy source all of their electricity from renewable sources and are one of four suppliers (the other three all being members of the Big Six) to have announced recently that they will be freezing their tariff prices for the duration of this Winter.
The executive director of Renewables UK, Emma Pinchbeck, was equally pleased with the news.
She said: “It’s terrific to see wind power smashing another record. It shows that wind is playing an increasingly central role as a reliable part of our new modern energy system. As we install more wind power, more records will tumble. This is a Christmas clean energy bonus – not just for the renewable energy sector, but for all of us.”
