Wind energy provided 206% of Scotland’s entire electricity needs

WWF Scotland analysed wind power data provided by Weather Energy and found that wind turbines provided 86,467MWh to the national grid on 2 October, more than double the country’s total daily electricity needs.

For the day, Scotland’s total electricity consumption, including households, businesses and industry, was 41,866MWh, meaning that wind power generated the equivalent of 206 percent of the country’s daily electricity demand.

The electricity was enough to power 7.116 million homes, which is approximately three times the number of total Scottish households.

WWF Scotland director Sam Gardner said: “Monday proved to be a great day for renewable electricity output, with wind turbines alone providing enough to power seven million homes and way more than Scotland’s total electricity needs”.

“Scotland’s renewable sector is thriving but to make sure that we have the most efficient, cheapest system possible, we need more focus on electricity storage, reducing demand and strengthening networks”.

He added: “The forthcoming Climate Change Bill and Warm Homes Bill provide vital opportunities to enshrine ambitious commitments in law and to lead global growth industries”.

He also noted that wind energy generation was impressive even on a monthly basis, with wind turbines providing 1,108,862MWh of the total 1,768,505 MWh electricity consumption during September, meaning that wind generated the equivalent of 63 percent of the country’s monthly electricity needs.

Paul Wheelhouse, Scotland’s Energy Minister, said: “These figures show Scotland’s renewables sector is stronger than ever and prove that our early adoption of clean, green energy technology and infrastructure was the right thing to do”.

On Tuesday, Paul Wheelhouse announced that fracking operations will not take place in Scotland by saying to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh: "Taking full account of the available evidence and strength of public opinion today, my judgment is that Scotland should say no to fracking”.

On July, another analysis from the WWF showed that from January to June 2017, wind turbines generated enough electricity to power 124 percent of Scottish households, and the records continue. 

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be discussing the governments initiatives and future plans around accelerating the energy transition to a cleaner system at the 8th Sustainable Innovation Forum. The Forum is organised in partnership with the UN Environment on the 13 & 14 November in Bonn, during COP23 and attracts 600+ carefully handpicked delegates, including : Ministers of Energy and Climate Change, Blue Chip CEOs, Mayors, Responsible Investors, Development Banks, Green Entrepreneurs and media. To register your place and find out more please visit the website: http://www.cop-23.org