During the first half of 2025, Scotland’s wind farms were paid to switch off 37% of their planned electricity output – amounting to around four terawatt hours – according to a report by energy analytics firm Montel. This lost output could have powered every home in Scotland for six months.
Behind these payments is a challenge in grid management. When renewable generation surges beyond what the network can handle, operators often have to curtail output to prevent overloads. These curtailments come at a cost – not just to consumers, but also to climate progress.
Experts argue there’s a better way to use this surplus. “Curtailing this renewable energy is an economic and environmental own goal – and all while many struggle to pay their energy bills and the grid faces more and more blackouts,” said Shil Ghosh, COO and co-founder at Direct Air Capture provider Mission Zero Technologies.
Redirecting this excess electricity to power carbon capture technologies, such as Direct Air Capture (DAC), could turn a liability into an asset. DAC facilities, which remove planet-warming CO2 directly from the atmosphere, are particularly well-matched to intermittent power: they require only electricity and can start up or power down with demand. The US Department of Energy estimates that megatonnes of CO2 could be removed if California’s curtailed solar output alone were used for DAC.
“Integrating DAC into renewable generation sites delivers a two for one. It removes atmospheric carbon at no extra cost while stabilising the energy grid – all without turning off renewables,” Ghosh explained. Without ample battery storage, surplus electricity has nowhere to go, often leading to costly voltage spikes and blackouts.
The UK now faces a pivotal choice, Ghosh said. With the US rolling back some of its climate policies, the UK could attract experts and turn this influx into a competitive edge: spurring economic growth, boosting energy security and advancing net zero ambitions.
As Scotland’s wind turbines keep spinning, the debate swirls: will the UK find ways to use every watt in the fight against climate change, or keep paying to keep its green engines idle?
