Offshore wind has reduced UK spending on imported fuels by at least £30bn in real 2024 prices, according to new analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit.
The milestone coincides with the 25th anniversary of the UK’s first offshore wind farm at Blyth Harbour.
For the first time, offshore wind generation in 2024 produced around 10% more electricity than domestically sourced gas. Analysts say this shift will widen as North Sea gas declines and new offshore wind farms come online.
Jess Ralston, Head of Energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: “We’re seeing a symbolic shift in power in the North Sea as gas continues its decades-long decline while offshore wind takes top spot as the main source of British electricity for homes and businesses across the UK.”
She warned that without further expansion of offshore wind the UK will become more dependent on foreign gas imports.
She added that shifting to clean electricity has been a success, but that heating is the next challenge. “Unless the UK gets on with installing electric heat pumps that can run off British renewables, the UK’s gas boilers will increasingly run on foreign gas as the North Sea runs out.”
Since 2000, offshore wind has generated more than 400 TWh of electricity, avoiding additional gas and coal imports that would otherwise have risen by 10% and 4%. An estimated £1bn of avoided imports would have gone to Russia based on historic fuel sourcing.
UK offshore wind now produces almost 50 TWh per year, or 17% of total generation, reaching this level faster than the nuclear industry did in its early decades.
Offshore wind cuts fuel import costs by £30bn appeared first on Energy Live News.