Great Britain has set a new record for wind power generation this Boxing Day.
50.7% of Britian's electricity was provided for when Storm Bella hit with huge winds of up to 100mph. During April, 60% had been reached but not for the same 24 hour period as Boxing Day.
2020 has seen several records beaten for renewables partly due to covid-19 restrictions, which has seen Britain maintain its longest coal-free period since the 1980s before the Industrial Revolution.
Last year 23% of electricity was provided in comparison to the 29% provided this year, according to data provided.
2019 saw coal power plants make up 46% of electricity generated across England, Scotland and Wales, whereas this year up to 21 December they provided only 36%.
NGESO's head of national control, Rob Rome said that this year has shown the changing nature of electricity in Britain, emphasising other earlier success when "we saw the highest ever level of solar generation in April, the longest period of coal-free operation between April and June, and the greenest ever month in May".
Drax Electrics Insights commented: "Britain has experienced a renewables revolution over the last decade with the growth of biomass, wind and solar power".
Even though there has been lots of success this year there are still hurdles to overcome, and Steve Jennings, a partner at the consulting firm PwC, said the biggest challenge to attaining net zero will be what the electricity system does "when the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine".
