Wind generation hit a new record thanks to Storm Ellen over the weekend, making up almost 60% of the energy mix.
On Saturday 22 August, at 1am wind made up 59.1% of Britain’s 13.5GW mix, driven by the storm. Ellen brought wind speeds of up to 95mph, which battered the country, particularly Wales.
This high broke the record previously set in February during Storm Ciara, when wind power generated 56% of the country’s energy mix. Additionally, on Saturday 8 February wind power set a new record for generation across a whole day, accounting for 44.26% of power produced.
These records helped renewables to overtake fossil fuel generation in Q1 of 2020, with the wettest and windiest February on record meaning wind power alone supplied 30.5% in February.
As we moved into Q2 and Q3 however, wind power dropped dramatically, bringing an end to a 55 day coal free run in August.
Saturday’s new record may not stand too long however, with Storm Francis currently battering Britain. According to data on Drax’s Electric Insights platform, wind contributed more than 60% of the country’s energy needs a little after 2am today (26 August), with demand sitting around the 24GW mark.