Record-breaking wind generated over one-third of electricity last week - more than any other source
18 March 2019
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Posted by: Rob Norris
RenewableUK
is highlighting that fact that Great Britain’s onshore and offshore wind farms generated more electricity than any other
source of power last week.
38% of our
electricity was provided by wind – a new weekly record - compared to 28.5% by
gas, 20.9% by nuclear, 7.3% by biomass, 2.5% by coal, 2% by hydro and 0.8% from
other sources, between Monday 11th and Sunday 17th March,
according to data supplied by independent analysts Aurora Energy Research.
Offshore
wind alone generated 23.3% of our electricity last week – more than nuclear. The new
generation figures follow the announcement of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal
between the Government and industry which will see the current 7,899 megawatts
of offshore wind capacity in the UK grow to over 30,000MW by 2030.
RenewableUK’s
Deputy Chief Executive Emma Pinchbeck said: “We’ve had a very blustery week, and
that’s good news because wind has outstripped every other power source. It’s further
proof that wind is playing a central role in keeping Britain powered up at a
chilly time of the year”.
“It’s also
interesting to see that offshore wind outperformed nuclear, showing the way our
modern energy mix is changing, with low-cost wind energy becoming the backbone
of our clean energy system”.
“This comes
just after the announcement of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal, which will see
our industry grow to support 27,000 highly-skilled jobs by 2030, and the UK’s
offshore wind supply chain generating billions every year in exports, as well
as providing more goods and services for offshore wind projects in UK waters”.
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The previous weekly record for wind, 29.6 %, was set Mon 4th-Sun 10th
March 2019.
This beat 28.1%, set Mon 17th-Sun
23rd Sept 2018.
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More
on Aurora Energy Research is available here.
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