In a significant milestone, wind farms across Britain have surpassed gas-fired power stations in electricity generation for the very first time in the initial quarter of 2023 according to new data released by Drax Electric Insights.

Throughout the first three months of this year, offshore and onshore wind turbines accounted for 32.4% of the electricity supply, outperforming gas-fired power stations, which contributed 31.7%. This shift highlights the increasing importance and effectiveness of wind energy in meeting the country’s power demands.

These findings have been unveiled in advance of the upcoming release of the quarterly Drax Electric Insights report. This independent report, commissioned through Imperial Consultants and conducted by academics from Imperial College London, offers valuable insights into the energy landscape.

In Q1 2023, Britain’s electricity fuel mix was:
  • Wind         32.4%  24.0 TWh
  • Gas            31.7%  23.4 TWh
  • Imports     12.6%  9.2 TWh
  • Nuclear     12.5%   9.2 TWh
  • Biomass    5.7%    4.2 TWh
  • Solar          2.3%    1.7 TWh
  • Hydro        1.5%    1.1 TWh
  • Coal           1.3%    0.9 TWh

The chart below (released by Drax Electric Insights) shares the rank in Britain’s electricity generation supply mix, indicating a clear progression for wind energy over recent years.

Dr Iain Staffell of Imperial College London, leading author of the quarterly Drax Electric Insights report series, stated:

In the space of a decade the UK has almost completely cut out coal, after relying on the most polluting fossil fuel for over a century to power our country. There are still many hurdles to reaching a completely fossil fuel-free grid, but wind out supplying gas for the first time is a genuine milestone event, and shows what can be achieved when governments create a good environment for investors in clean technology.

With the wind market set to continue its upward growth, this news provides a positive insight into the future and highlights the ongoing demand for wind energy in the UK and on a global scale.

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