Record wind output exposes grid constraints

20 April 2026

Wind power generation across Great Britain reached a record high in the first quarter of 2026, producing 29.2 terawatt hours (TWh), according to analysis by Montel EnAppSys.

This is the highest level recorded for any quarter, exceeding the previous peak of 28.4 TWh in late 2025 and rising markedly from 22.3 TWh during the same period in 2024.

The increase followed prolonged periods of strong winds linked to winter storms. January alone set a new monthly record with 10.6 TWh generated.

The analysis indicates that output could have been higher still. Around 3.6 TWh of potential wind energy was curtailed because of transmission constraints, suggesting generation may have been about 11% greater with sufficient network capacity. Limitations in moving electricity from northern generation sites to areas of higher demand in the south remain a key issue.

Total renewable generation reached 40.3 TWh during the quarter, accounting for 52% of overall electricity supply. Wind was the largest contributor within this total.

Higher renewable output coincided with a reduction in gas-fired generation, which fell by 16% compared with the same period a year earlier. Despite this decline, gas continued to play a central role in balancing the system, providing 29% of total generation.

Electricity imports via interconnectors dropped to 6.1 TWh from 7.8 TWh a year earlier, while nuclear generation declined by 7% year-on-year.

The figures reflect the increasing contribution of renewable energy in Great Britain’s power mix, alongside ongoing challenges in transmission infrastructure needed to fully utilise available generation.