National Grid has confirmed that a record-breaking amount of clean electricity was generated by wind power in the UK on November 29 – achieving more than 6 gigawatts (over 6,000 megawatts) for the first time.
From 2.30 till 3pm, wind power produced an average of 6,004 megawatts (MW), which accounted for 13.5% of the UK’s total electricity demand at that time – enough to power more than 3,410,000 British homes. National Grid measures electricity generation in half-hour periods.
The previous record, set on 15th September this year, was 5,739MW. That particular record for a half-hour period was shattered several times on Friday, with wind regularly generating more than 13% of the UK’s total electricity demand, demonstrating a high consistency of supply.
RenewableUK’s Director of External Affairs, Jennifer Webber said:
“Wind energy is consistently setting new records and providing an ever-increasing amount of clean electricity for British homes and businesses. We’re generating from a home-grown source which gives us a secure supply of power at cost we can control, rather than leaving ourselves exposed to the global fluctuation in fossil fuel prices which have driven bills up. Wind gives us a way to make a smooth transition from old-fashioned fuels to a new low-carbon economy. We’re also generating tens of thousands of green-collar jobs for people now working in the fast-growing British wind energy industry.”
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Press release, December 1, 2013; Image: Vattenfall