Scotland’s wind energy industry once again has smashed records with an “unprecedented” amount of electricity being generated in October, enough to provide 189% of the country’s household electricity needs and more than 100% of the country’s electricity demand on 15 out of 31 days.
An analysis by WWF Scotland, of data provided by weather data provider WeatherEnergy, which was published this week, confirmed that “windy and stormy weather provided unprecedented power” to the Scottish grid during October, providing 1,727,602.73 MWh (megawatt-hours) of electricity to the National Grid, which amounted to 99% of Scotland’s entire electricity demand for the whole month.
More specifically, wind power provided electricity for 4,589,759 homes — which is the equivalent of nearly twice the number of households in Scotland, or 189%. Wind generated enough electricity to provide more than 100% of Scotland’s total electricity demand 15 days out of October’s 31 and supplied enough electricity to power more than 100% of Scotland’s homes on 28 days.
“No-one will be surprised that October proved to be a spectacular month for wind energy, with some high winds, including the tail end of Hurricane Ophelia,” explained WWF Scotland’s Acting Head of Policy Gina Hanrahan.
“Fortunately our infrastructure coped well with the windy weather which provided enough to power nearly twice the number of households in Scotland and almost all of our electricity demand.
“This is more good news for renewables which continue to power our homes and businesses with clean electricity.
“Scotland’s renewable sector is thriving but to have continued growth of clean, cheap power the UK Government needs to allow onshore wind and solar to compete for contracts on a level playing field. This is backed by everyone from the Scottish Government to the National Infrastructure Commission to Ofgem and most importantly the general public. Renewables, including onshore wind, are riding high in the polls with record levels of support. Consumers, the industry and the planet would all benefit from their continued deployment.”
“October was an extraordinary month and provides more evidence that greater investment in both renewables and storage is the way forward,” added Karen Robinson of WeatherEnergy.
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