National Grid ESO has confirmed that wind provided more than half of the UK’s power yesterday evening (10 January 2023), setting a new record, according to RenewableUK.
Wind generated 21.6GW of electricity in the half-hour period between 6-6.30pm, providing 50.4% of the UK’s power.
This beats the previous record of 20.9GW set on 30 December, which was the third wind energy record set last year.
RenewableUK has been tracking the massive amount of electricity being produced by low carbon sources (renewables and nuclear) throughout the winter and tweeting updates every fortnight.
Its latest #WinterPowerUpdate shows low carbon power sources produced 82.5% of Britain’s electricity from the 27th of December to 9th of January.
This cut gas demand by 1.31bn cubic metres, which would have cost £2.1bn, RenewableUK said.
Its chief executive Dan McGrail said: “Throughout this blustery winter, wind is taking a leading role as our major power source, setting new records time and time again.
“This is good news for billpayers and businesses, as wind is our cheapest source of new power and reduces the UK’s use of expensive fossil fuels which are driving up energy bills.
“With public support for renewables also hitting new record highs, it’s clear we should be trying to maximise new investment in renewables to increase our energy security.”