UK wind power set a new electricity generation record last week, producing enough energy to power 80% of British homes on a cold November evening. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) confirmed that at 7:30pm on Tuesday 11 November, wind output reached 22,711 megawatts, supplying the equivalent of more than 22 million households and covering 43.6% of the country’s total electricity demand at that time.

RenewableUK welcomed the milestone as further proof of the central role wind is playing in Britain’s transition to a cleaner and more secure energy system. “On a cold, dark November evening, wind was generating enough electricity to power 80% of British homes when we needed it most. This new record high period is another tangible example of wind taking its place at the heart of our clean energy system, as we transition away from the volatile prices of fossil fuels which caused the energy crisis,” said Jane Cooper, the organisation’s Deputy Chief Executive.

Cooper stressed that the Government now has an important opportunity to accelerate the growth of homegrown clean power. She highlighted that a record amount of offshore wind capacity is eligible to compete in the upcoming auction for new renewable energy contracts, and urged ministers to “pull out all the stops” to enable these projects to move forward rapidly.

According to RenewableUK, expanding offshore wind deployment would not only strengthen energy security but also support the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs, boost UK supply chains and attract billions of pounds in private investment, helping maintain the UK’s status as a global leader in offshore wind.

The new peak surpasses the previous generation record of 22,523MW, set on 18 December 2024.