19/12/2024 | Onshore wind

Offshore wind farm Offshore wind farm

Wind sets another record – and new data shows renewables generated over half of Britain’s power for four consecutive quarters

19 December 2024 - RenewableUK press release


Britain’s onshore and offshore wind farms set a new record by generating 22.5 gigawatts (GW) of clean power on Wednesday morning, providing 68.3% of the country’s electricity according to the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The new record arrives only a few days after the previous high of 22.4GW, which was set on Sunday evening.


The news comes on the day that the Government has published its latest Energy Trends report, which details new electricity generation statistics covering the third quarter of this year (July to September). This shows that renewables have generated over 50% of Britain’s electricity for the last four consecutive quarters for the first time (Q4 2023 to Q3 2024).



  • The latest figures show that, in the third quarter of this year, renewables provided 50.5% of Britain’s electricity, while fossil fuels produced 28%.

  • The first quarter in which renewables generated over 50% was Q4 of 2023 when they provided 50.4% compared to 33.6% from fossil fuels.

  • In the first quarter of this year renewables generated 51.2%, while fossil fuels produced 35.1%.

  • In the second quarter of this year renewables provided 51.6%, and fossil fuels produced 26.8%.


RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail said:


“Setting another clean electricity generation record just four days after the previous high shows the pivotal role wind is playing in keeping the country powered up during the festive season.


This is also demonstrated by today’s official figures which reveal that renewables have generated more than half our electricity for four quarters in a row. This is a historic shift which shows that Britain’s successful transition to clean power is taking place at amazing speed, as we celebrate a landmark year for the UK’s world-class renewable energy sector.”


(ends)

Notes


For further information, contact


Robert Norris, Head of Communications
07969 229 913 Robert.Norris@RenewableUK.com



  1. RenewableUK’s members are building our future energy system, powered by clean electricity. We bring them together to deliver that future faster; a future which is better for industry, billpayers, and the environment. We support over 490 member companies to ensure increasing amounts of renewable electricity are deployed across the UK and to access export markets all over the world. Our members are business leaders, technology innovators, and expert thinkers from right across industry.


  2. The new record was set in the half hour period starting at 3:30am on Wednesday 18 December.


  3. The record is expressed in megawatts (MW) of electricity generated. The highest percentage of electricity generated by wind during a half-hour period is 69.2%, set on 24 November 2024.


  4. RenewableUK’s events programme is available here.