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The share of wind power within the UK’s generation mix reached a record high of 22 per cent on Sunday due to strong power output of almost six GW and typically low summer weekend demand.
The new record share surpassed the 21 per cent stake wind held on Monday 11 August this year, and the 20 per cent contribution seen 20 December 2013.
Although outright generation fell far short of the UK record of 7.2 GW, the low demand for power from other sources due to typically depressed weekend levels allowed the 5.7 GW output to take a greater proportional stake of total electricity produced.
Peak daily power on Sunday was just 30 GW while weekday demand levels for this time of year fall between 36.5 – 37.5 GW, National Grid data shows.
Trade association RenewableUK said the record proves “that onshore and offshore wind has become an absolutely fundamental component in this country’s energy mix”.
On Sunday while wind generation contributed 22 per cent to the generation mix, coal provided just 13 per cent; while solar, biomass and hydro offered seven per cent combined.
Wind was surpassed by nuclear at 24 per cent and gas-fired power at 26 per cent.
Wind generation on Monday fell to just above 3 GW and is forecast to slip further to just above one GW on Tuesday as peak demand rises to an expected 36.6 GW Monday evening at over 37 GW at the same time Tuesday, National Grid data shows.
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