High winds see wind power at 200% above average output

Analysis released by Scottish Renewables today shows that the recent high winds have helped wind farms across the UK generate more than twice their average output.

Figures for Tuesday 3  and Wednesday 4 January, when gusts of wind reached over 100 mph in some parts of the country, show the average daily load factor – a proportion of the full theoretical potential - for windfarms across the UK was 60 per cent compared to an average of around 30 per cent.

Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “The recent high winds have resulted in higher output from wind farms, despite some turbines having to close down in the very worst of the storms.

“Onshore wind makes an invaluable contribution all year round, meeting around 12 per cent of the electricity demand in Scotland in 2010.

“Despite the critics, 2011 is on track to be a record year for the renewables industry and 2012 will likely see us set the bar even higher.”