UK wind power hits 30GW, powering 26 million homes
Viking Wind Farm adds 443MW, becoming the UK’s top onshore wind farm
Wind energy cuts carbon emissions by over 35 million tonnes annually, driving the UK’s clean energy transition.
The UK has reached a significant milestone in its renewable energy journey, achieving 30 gigawatts (GW) of wind power capacity. This marks a crucial step in the country’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a clean energy superpower. The latest addition to this capacity comes from the Viking Wind Farm on the Shetland Islands, which contributed 443 megawatts (MW), pushing the total past the 30GW threshold.
The UK now boasts a total wind capacity of 30,299MW, combining both onshore and offshore installations. According to RenewableUK’s EnergyPulse, this capacity is sufficient to meet the annual electricity needs of over 26 million homes and cut carbon emissions by more than 35 million tonnes each year. In 2023, renewable energy sources provided a record 46.4% of the UK’s electricity, with wind power alone accounting for 28.1% of the total electricity generated.
The growth of the UK’s wind capacity has been remarkable. Starting with the first onshore wind farm at Delabole, Cornwall, in 1991, and the first offshore wind project off the coast of Blyth in 2000, capacity has expanded rapidly. By 2005, the UK had reached 1GW, growing to 5GW by 2010, 10GW by 2013, and 15GW by 2017. In just seven years, this capacity has doubled to 30GW.
The Viking Wind Farm, developed over 15 years with a £1.2 billion investment, is a crucial part of this achievement. Consisting of 103 turbines, it is set to be the UK’s most productive onshore wind farm, generating around 1.8 terawatt hours (TWh) of renewable electricity annually. The farm utilizes Shetland’s strong wind conditions and connects to the grid via a 260km subsea cable.
Looking ahead, the UK aims to further increase its wind capacity. Research indicates that doubling the UK’s onshore wind capacity by the end of the decade could boost the economy by £45 billion and create 27,000 jobs. Transitioning to an electricity system dominated by offshore wind by 2035 could also leave consumers around £68 a year better off.
The 30GW milestone is a significant achievement, but the UK recognizes the need to accelerate its efforts to achieve a zero-carbon energy system by the end of this decade.
