UK wind generation records tumble in 2015
The statistics, highlighted by clean energy group RenewableUK, reveals that Britain broke the monthly generation record for wind in December, with 17 per cent of the country’s electricity demand provided for by the renewable power, while weekly, quarterly and annual highs were also surpassed.
Last year’s annual generation figure of 11 per cent, an increase from the 9.5 per cent achieved in 2014, provided enough electrical energy to power more than 8.25 million homes, beating 2014’s figure of 6.7 million.
A new weekly generation record was also set in December, during “Christmas week,” with wind producing 20 per cent of the UK’s power demand, while the quarterly record was bettered during the three month period from October to December last year, with 13% of the nation’s electricity demand met by wind; beating the previous 12 per cent high in the first quarter of 2015.
Dr Gordon Edge, director of policy at RenewableUK, believes the wind industry can be proud that it has “shattered” four generation records in 2015.
“This is a great way to start the New Year. This re-writes the record books. We’ve had a bumper harvest thanks to increased deployment and superb wind speeds,” he said.
“It also demonstrates why the Government should continue to support wind energy, as we’re delivering on our commitment to keep Britain powered up. We can continue to increase the proportion of the nation’s electricity which we provide as we move away from fossil fuels to clean sources of power.”
