Wind farms across Britain set a new generation record at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11 November, according to data published by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). At that moment, wind output reached 22,711 MW, enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 22 million homes and cover 43.6% of total national demand.
The new figure edges past the previous record of 22,523 MW set on 18 December 2024, and it was achieved during a cold, dark November evening when energy use is typically high as households switch on lights and heating.
Jane Cooper, Deputy Chief Executive of the industry body RenewableUK, said the record underlined how established wind power has become in Britain’s electricity mix. “On a cold, dark November evening, wind was generating enough electricity to power 80% of British homes when we needed it most,” she said, calling the milestone “another tangible example of wind taking its place at the heart of our clean energy system”.
Cooper linked the performance to wider efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. She argued that stronger support for new wind projects in the government’s next auction for low‑carbon power contracts would help build on the record, describing the current pipeline of offshore projects as a major opportunity to add more homegrown, clean electricity.
While Tuesday’s record only reflects a single half‑hour period on the grid, analysts note that such peaks are becoming more frequent as additional onshore and offshore wind farms come online.
NESO’s figures suggest that, on favourable days, wind energy can now carry a substantial share of Britain’s electricity needs, contributing both to climate targets and to long‑term energy security.
