U.K. Onshore Wind Breezes Past 5,000 MW

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland) -- The U.K. continues to breeze past wind energy milestones in September as the country celebrated passing the 5,000-megawatt (MW) marker for installed onshore wind energy capacity.

The opening of the 28.6 MW Drone Hill windfarm by AES in the Scottish Borders helped the U.K. push past the latest milestone, according to data released by RenewableUK, the country's trade and professional body for the wind and marine energy industries. Drone Hill, which took less than 18 months to construct, is capable of generating enough power for up to 14,700 homes.

According to RenewableUK, the first project to be completed beyond the 5,000 MW mark was the small, single 500kW turbine Resilient Energy Great Dunklins project in Gloucestershire, which was funded by local residents.

"I'm delighted that the landmark of 5GW of onshore wind has been achieved," said RenewableUK's Chief Executive, Maria McCaffery. "The benefits of onshore wind for communities, bill-payers, workers and the environment are well-understood, with two thirds of the public supporting wind. With the Great Dunklins project we've seen people demonstrating their support by choosing to invest in this key technology for the UK's energy future. With 8,600 people currently employed in onshore wind, the potential for this to double by 2020, and £100,000 of value going to the local community for each megawatt of onshore power installed, we need to ensure that we maintain this surge in momentum to deliver jobs, growth and clean energy."

The onshore milestone was reached just a week after the U.K. set a new record for electricity generated by windfarms. The country's electricity grid operator, National Grid, reported that wind turbines supplied 4,131 MW into the grid on one morning in September -- accounting for almost 11% of the U.K.'s total energy needs. It was enough to power more than 3 million homes, and surpassed the old record from May this year by 331 MW. For additional information, see September 20, 2012, article - U.K. Blows Away Wind Power Record.

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