Scotland wind turbines generate too much electricity

For four days in a row, Scotland wind turbines have generated more power than than the country needed. According to WeatherEnergy, wind energy provided more electricity than needed on December 23rd, 23th, 25th, and 26th.

On Christmas Eve, the Scotland wind turbines generated 74,000MWh, the highest ever amount of energy produced in one day. That amount of power is capable of fulfilling the daily energy needs of 6.09 million homes.

On Christmas Day, energy use fell, so the turbines generated 153% of Scotland’s energy needs.

“It was only as recently as August 2016 that we first recorded a day where wind-powered electricity generation exceeded demand,” said Karen Robinson of WeatherEnergy. “However, thanks to increasing levels of renewables capacity and improved energy efficiency reducing power demand, we’re starting to see more and more such days.”

“Given these figures, now is the time for serious consideration to be given to using more of this excess renewable energy to help decarbonize other areas of society, such as powering electric vehicles or heating our homes and businesses using non-fossil fuel technologies.”

In other countries, including Germany, renewable energy has generated so much power in one day that prices turned negative and customers were paid to use it. The low cost of renewable energy has also brought down oil prices, which could drop to $10 per barrel within 10 years.

According to Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, the numbers “underline the massive progress Scotland is making in securing an ever-increasing proportion of its electricity needs from wind power and other clean renewable sources.”

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By Rory Arnold, Earth.com Staff Writer