According to figures provided by UK’s renewable energy trade body, RenewableUK, electricity generated by wind energy in 2014 provided more than a quarter of UK homes with power.
The figures come by way of National Grid, provided by independent data analysis company EnAppSys, and published by RenewableUK on its website, Monday. Accordingly, wind energy generated 28.1 TWh of electricity in 2014, up from 24.5 TWh in 2013, and supplied enough electricity to for the needs of 6.7 million UK households — a 15% increase on 2013.
December was another good month for the UK renewable energy industry, with wind energy providing a new monthly high of 14% of all UK electricity generated, beating the previous record of 13% set a year earlier. On top of that, the final quarter of 2014 saw 12% of electricity generated from wind, breaking the previous record of 11% set in the first quarter of 2014.
“It’s great to start 2015 with some good news about the massive quantities of clean electricity we’re now generating from wind, with new records being set month after month, quarter after quarter, and year on year, as we increase our capacity to harness one of Britain’s best natural resources,” said RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Maf Smith.
“We’re now into a General Election year so we know that the political temperature is set to carry on rising over the next few months. The cost of energy has become an important political issue, so now would be a good time for voters, prospective parliamentary candidates and MPs to take account of the fact that onshore wind is the cheapest form of renewable energy we have at our fingertips. So if we’re serious about cutting bills, and securing an indigenous supply of clean power, all parties need to support it in the months ahead.”
The news comes following months of reports showcasing Scotland as a dominant force in the UK’s energy makeup, especially given the country’s repeated wind energy records — supplying 126% of all home energy needs in October, and 107% in November.
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