- UK wind power reaches 30GW, enough to power 26 million homes.
- Viking Wind Farm adds 443MW, becoming the UK’s most productive onshore wind farm.
- Wind energy pivotal in UK’s transition to a clean energy superpower, reducing carbon emissions by over 35 million tonnes annually.
The UK has reached a significant milestone in its journey toward renewable energy: 30 gigawatts (GW) of wind power capacity. This achievement 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 has a total wind capacity of 30,299MW, combining both onshore and offshore installations. According to RenewableUK’s EnergyPulse, this capacity is enough to meet the annual electricity needs of over 26 million homes and cut carbon emissions by more than 35 million tonnes each year. Renewable energy sources provided a record 46.4% of the UK’s electricity in 2023, with wind power alone accounting for 28.1% of 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.
Ana Musat, RenewableUK’s Executive Director of Policy & Engagement, highlighted the significance of this progress:
“It took 26 years to install the first 15GW of wind energy in the UK, so to double that to 30GW in just seven years represents a tremendous success for the industry. Wind is the backbone of our future energy system and a key driver of our transition away from expensive and volatile fossil fuels to become a clean energy superpower.“
Viking Wind Farm’s Role: 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.
Stephen Wheeler, Managing Director of SSE Renewables, emphasized the farm’s contribution to the UK’s energy landscape:
“We’re thrilled the delivery of our Viking Wind Farm takes the UK’s wind power capacity past the 30GW mark. Viking will now play a major role in the UK’s net zero transition, harnessing Shetland’s unparalleled wind resource to become the country’s most productive onshore wind farm.“
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Looking ahead, the UK aims to further increase its wind capacity. Musat added:
“Our research shows doubling the UK’s onshore wind capacity by the end of the decade would boost the economy by £45 billion and create 27,000 jobs. Moving to an electricity system dominated by offshore wind by 2035 would 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.