The latest energy statistics reveal onshore wind generation increased by 7.9 per cent, and offshore wind was up 16.1 per cent, resulting in vastly increased generation output of 31.6TWh owing to greater installed capacity.
The data shows 23 per cent increase in overall renewable electricity capacity to 24.2GW, causing low-carbon electricity’s share of generation to increase to 38.8 per cent in 2014.
Hydropower saw a 26 per cent rise, as rainfall levels were at their highest level in three years and bioenergy was up 24 per cent, largely due to a second conversion at Drax power station to biomass.
RenewableUK deputy chief executive Maf Smith welcomed the results. He said it is “wonderful” to see renewable electricity reach another record, with wind providing the “lion’s share”.
He continued: “Communities up and down the country benefit from wind power… and these statistics show it’s doing its primary job of providing clean homegrown power and weaning us off fossil fuel imports.”
He hailed wind as a “UK success story” and urged politicians to “recognise its value, and support it fully”.