Home / Editor's Pick /

Overtaking fossil fuels: UK reaches wind power milestone

11:00
14 May 2023

Overtaking fossil fuels
UK reaches wind power milestone

Offshore wind farmOffshore wind farms such as this are the primary contributor to the UK's wind power success.

Wind turbines contributed more power to the UK energy grid than gas for the first time over the first quarter of 2023.

Research from the Imperial College of London shows that a third of energy used across the UK up to March was sourced from wind farms.

This follows a record-breaking 2022 for wind power, in which it provided enough energy to power 22.8 million homes.

The UK is a world-leader when it comes to wind farms, with over 2,200 turbines operating offshore and around 1,500 onshore.

These combine for a total capacity of 28 gigawatts, which a target of reaching 40 gigawatts through offshore sources alone by 2050 currently planned by the government.

In other positive news for renewables, April also saw a record output of solar energy.

Renewable sources, including wind and solar energy, contributed 42% of the energy mix used between January and March this year.

How is wind power generated?read more

Outweighing fossil fuels such as gas and coal, which provided around 33% of the mix.

Around 15% of our energy in the UK this year comes from other sources. This includes nuclear power and energy generated through biomass.

Despite the record-breaking figures, there is currently a backlog of renewable power with the UK’s energy grid at capacity, meaning more could be delivered if space on the grid allowed.

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
The image is split into two scenes: on the left, dark grey storm clouds loom heavily over rooftops of brick houses, creating a dramatic sky; on the right, large clouds stretch across a calmer evening sky above the sea, with silhouettes of offshore wind turbines visible on the horizon.
Sunday 31 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Unsettled week with plenty to snap
On the left, a satellite image of a hurricane over the sea; on the right, a man in a clearance vehicle clearing debris and food in a flooded supermarket.
Friday 29 August 2025

Twenty years ago today

Hurricane Katrina hits US Gulf Coast
Dust cloud over Tucson alongside weather radar showing thunderstorms in Arizona.
Thursday 28 August 2025

Fascinating phenomenon

Dust storm hits major city in the USA
All weather news
This might also interest you
Friday 22 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Sunny start for some, overcast later
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
Mammatus clouds
Thursday 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement