UK wind record

[adam2]

Did anyone else hear the PM announce upping the Offshore Wind target from 30 GW to 40? In among all the awful news that was a moment of brightness...

Splendid news.

[PS_RalphW]

The storms we have been having have been good for wind. Averaged over 10GW for the whole of February so far (23rd). More power from wind and solar than from gas and coal. Carbon intensity just over 200g/KWh

[kenneal - lagger]

So much for high winds shutting down wind turbines. And I've not heard of any being blown over either which is another anti wind turbine bleat.

[PS_RalphW]

Government removes block on onshore wind from bidding for fixed price subsidies alongside solar. Still needs local planning permission for schemes.

Wind just had its best month ever, producing more than coal and gas combined, and dropping CO2 to below 200 g CO2/kWh
For the first time ever. Half way to 2030 target of 100.

[adam2]

Indicated wind power is at present 13.6 GW, which I suspect is a new record.
As shown on Gridwatch site, other sources may differ.

[BritDownUnder]

The Grauniad has this interesting article on wind records.

Daily Wind Power share record - on Boxing Day it must be said.

More than half of Great Britain’s daily electricity came from wind turbines for the first time on Boxing Day, as the country headed for its “greenest year on record”, due in part to the coronavirus.

As Storm Bella arrived, bringing gusts of up to 100mph, wind provided 50.7% of Great Britain’s electricity according to data charting the power generation mix.

But wait! There's more. Annual Record as well.

Gas and coal power plants made up 36% of the electricity generated in England, Scotland and Wales in the year up to 21 December 2020, according to data from National Grid’s electricity system operator (NGESO), down from 46% in 2019.

Wind and solar farms delivered 29% of the electricity mix, rising from 23% of electricity generated in Great Britain last year, according to the early data report.

And an instantaneous record too.

While Boxing Day set a record for the highest share of power generated by windfarms, it was not a record for the most power they have ever supplied. That was set earlier this month, when windfarms delivered 17.3 gigawatts.

However, Coronavirus has quashed energy demand.

The coronavirus pandemic reduced electricity usage overall in 2020 compared with a normal year, as large swathes of the economy have been forced to shut their doors for extended periods. Average power demand across the course of the year has dropped from 32.58GW in 2019 to 30.6GW so far in 2020.