RenewableUK has published statistics which show that over the entire winter period, low carbon power sources (renewables and nuclear) generated over 60% of Britain’s total electricity generation.
The figures are being released at the end of RenewableUK’s fortnightly Winter Power Update, which has been providing regular updates of generation statistics covering 1 November 2022 to 28 February 2023, when demand is usually at its highest.
The figures show that overall, during the winter period, onshore and offshore wind provided 60% of the UK’s low carbon power (31.4TWh), followed by nuclear which generated 26% (14.34 TWh).
This increased Britain’s energy security over the winter by reducing the demand for imported gas by over 9.7 billion cubic metres (or over 66% of total Liquified Natural Gas imports) – saving British consumers over £15,700,000,000.
RenewableUK’s Executive Director of Policy Ana Musat said: “These latest figures show that low carbon power sources, led by wind, played a central role in keeping the lights on this winter by providing the lion’s share of Britain’s electricity.
“Reliable homegrown clean energy is boosting our energy security and saving hard-pressed British consumers billions of pounds in expensive gas imports, as well as moving us closer towards net zero.
“Now we need to ramp up the roll-out of new clean energy projects as fast as possible to maximise the benefits of renewables to billpayers and businesses in the years ahead.”