16 September 2011

By Kari Williamson

The record-breaking amount of electricity from wind power was generated on 6 September with a peak of 3021 MW as wind power supplied 7.2% of the total amount of electricity on the grid.

The record was set as the remnants of Hurrican Irene hit the UK earlier this month.

Actual total even higher

The actual amount of electricity generated during the period by wind was even higher because a third of all wind turbine capacity in the UK (32%) is connected directly to local electricity networks, and not to the National Grid.

Once that extra 1.5 GW are taken into account, the amount of electricity being generated forom wind reached 4.5 GW, supplying more than 10% of the UK’s electricity needs.

RenewableUK’s Chief Executive, Maria McCaffery, says: "These record-breaking figures show that wind energy is providing ever-increasing amounts of electricity to homes and businesses across the country. It makes a strong case for installing even greater capacity, so that we can make the most of the bountiful wind resource we have in Britain. The benefits are clear – we are generating clean energy, cutting down on expensive and insecure imports of fossil fuels and creating tens of thousands of jobs over the next decade."