Analysis by the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero showed onshore and offshore wind turbines provided a record 34.4% of the country’s power needs in 2024
Wind overtook gas as the biggest source of the UK’s electricity for the first time ever last year, figures have revealed.
Analysis by the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero showed onshore and offshore wind turbines provided a record 34.4% of the country’s power needs in 2024. That took it just above gas-fired power stations, at 33.8%.
Michael Shanks, Minister for Energy, told the Mirror: “Great Britain has an abundance of wind, and by harnessing our own natural resource we are protecting billpayers, making us energy secure, and tackling the climate crisis. This milestone marks an irreversible tipping point towards clean power, which will kickstart growth, reignite our coastal communities and create a new generation of good jobs.”
Labour is relying on a rapid growth in wind generation to help achieve the government net zero goals. In December, it set out plans to drive through controversial energy projects in a £200billion bid to cut household bills.
However, they will put the government in direct conflict with communities bitterly opposed to the building of new electricity pylons, solar and wind farms, and power stations nearby. Ministers hope to pacify those specifically impacted with potentially money off their electricity bills, with details set to emerge in the new year.
Confirmation that wind overtook gas echoes data from the National Energy System Operator for Britain – rather than the UK as whole – and which was more limited in its scope.
The growing reliance on wind means reducing thge use of the UK’s 32 main gas-fired power stations as a normal source of power, although some will probably still be needed during periods of calm weather. However, there is still concerns about how reliable wind – and solar – generation is, particularly given an expected surge in demand in the years to come. For example, Britain’s wind generation plunged to virtually zero in November, with wind farms only meeting between 3% and 4% of the country’s electricity demand and gas-fired plants needed for around 60%.
The new data showed renewables – including wind, solar and hydro – provided 45.6% of the UK’s electricity in the final three months of last, with gas 39.2% and nuclear 14.4%. But low carbon’s share in general fell by 3.9 percentage points, whereas fossil fuels – almost entirely gas – rose by the same amount. Importantly, gas made for shortfall from wind generation and nuclear. Coal fired generation in the UK ended last September.
The UK produces more offshore wind than any other European country which, Labour claims, makes it “the backbone for plans to deliver a clean power system by 2030 and become a clean energy superpower.”
