Scotland set two new wind power records at the end of December, according
to figures released by an environmental group.
WWF Scotland said wind turbines generated enough power for all the nation’s
electricity needs over a record four straight days.
Turbines have previously generated more power than needed in a single day,
but this is the first time four consecutive days have been recorded – on
December 23, 24, 25 and 26.
A new record was also set on Christmas Eve for the most amount of
wind-generated power in a single day with 74,042MWh of electricity sent to
the National Grid.
Total electricity demand on the same date was 56,089MWh which meant wind
turbines generated the equivalent of 132% of Scotland’s total electricity
needs that day.
Lang Banks, WWF Scotland’s director, said: “These are two spectacular
achievements, which underline the massive progress Scotland is making in
securing an ever increasing proportion of its electricity needs from wind
power and other clean renewable sources.
“Scotland can be proud that its record-breaking wind power output at the
end of December, and resulting export of excess electricity through
interconnectors to England, greatly contributed to what also proved a
record-breaking week for wind power across the entire UK.
“By reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we’re also helping to address
the threats posed to people and nature by climate change. That is why we
must continue to take steps to reduce our overall energy demand and harness
more of what we do use from the wide range of renewable energy sources now
available.”
The Scottish Government is expected to publish its new energy strategy
later this month and WWF has urged ministers to aim high in renewable power,
Karen Robinson of WeatherEnergy, which compiled the data, said: “It was
only as recently as August 2016 that we first recorded a day where wind
powered electricity generation exceeded demand.
“However, thanks to increasing levels of renewables capacity and improved
energy efficiency reducing power demand, we’re starting to see more and
more such days.
“Given these figures, now is the time for serious consideration to be given
to using more of this excess renewable electricity to help de-carbonise
other areas of society, such as powering electric vehicles or heating our
homes and businesses using non-fossil fuel technologies.”
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