Wind energy generation in the UK hits decade-low, driving up power prices

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Jack Aylmer Energy Correspondent

By Jack Aylmer (Energy Correspondent), Emma Stoltzfus (Video Editor)

Wind energy production in the United Kingdom dropped to its lowest level in a decade Wednesday, Jan. 22, leading to a spike in electricity prices. According to the National Energy System Operator, wind turbines across the U.K. produced 0.22 gigawatts during the day’s calmest period, a significant decrease compared to the average daily production of around 10 gigawatts.

How significant is this for the U.K. wind sector?

The last time wind generation fell this low was in 2015, when the country’s wind power capacity was less than half of what it is today. This decline in output caused a greater reliance on more expensive gas-fired power, with electricity prices reaching a two-year high of over $418 per megawatt-hour on Wednesday, according to data from the European Power Exchange.

How long are these poor wind conditions expected to persist?

Meteorologists predict a shift in weather conditions on the horizon. Storm Éowyn, fueled by an Arctic blast, is expected to bring strong winds starting Thursday. Gusts could reach speeds of up to 80 miles per hour in certain regions, including parts of Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, and northwest England.

What happens next?

While most wind turbines typically shut off at speeds exceeding 55 miles per hour to avoid damage, the anticipated windy conditions are still expected to boost wind energy output. This could help lower electricity prices, with projections from the European Power Exchange estimating a rate of about $132 per megawatt-hour.

The U.K. continues to pursue its renewable energy goals, aiming to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels by 2030. However, intermittent wind supply remains a challenge for the grid, contributing to higher electricity costs during calm periods.

WIND ENERGY GENERATION IN THE U.K. HIT ITS LOWEST MARK IN A DECADE THIS WEEK-

CAUSING POWER PRICES TO SPIKE.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR, U.K. WIND TURBINES PRODUCED ONLY ABOUT 0.2 GIGAWATTS DURING THE CALMEST PERIOD ON WEDNESDAY-

COMPARED TO AN AVERAGE DAILY PRODUCTION OF AROUND 10 GIGAWATTS.

SUCH LOW WIND GENERATION LEVELS HAVE NOT BEEN SEEN SINCE 2015-

WHEN THE COUNTRY’S GRID CAPACITY FOR THIS RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE WAS LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT IT IS TODAY.

THE DECLINE IN WIND ENERGY OUTPUT LED TO A GREATER RELIANCE ON COSTLIER GAS-FIRED POWER-

RAISING ELECTRIC PRICES TO A TWO YEAR HIGH OF MORE THAN 418 DOLLARS PER MEGAWATT-HOUR ACCORDING TO THE EUROPEAN POWER EXCHANGE.

HOWEVER, METEOROLOGISTS EXPECT A CHANGE IN CONDITIONS TO COME SHORTLY.

A WINTER STORM FUELED BY AN ARCTIC BLAST, IS FORECAST TO BRING STRONG WINDS ACROSS PARTS OF THE UK STARTING THURSDAY-

WITH GUSTS POTENTIALLY REACHING SPEEDS OF 80 MILES PER HOUR IN SOME REGIONS.

WHILE MOST TURBINES AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF TO AVOID DAMAGE AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 55 MILES PER HOUR, THESE WINDIER CONDITIONS ARE STILL EXPECTED TO HELP BRING ELECTRIC PRICES BACK DOWN-

WITH THE EUROPEAN POWER EXCHANGE PROJECTING A RATE OF ABOUT 132 DOLLARS PER MEGAWATT-HOUR.

THE U.K.’S RENEWABLE ENERGY AMBITIONS AIM TO ELIMINATE RELIANCE ON FOSSIL FUELS BY 2030-

BUT INTERMITTENT WIND SUPPLY CONTINUES TO CHALLENGE THE GRID, LEADING TO HIGHER PRICES DURING WINDLESS PERIODS.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M JACK AYLMER.