Thanet Offshore Wind Farm (Photo: Vattenfall)

From Green Right Now Reports

British political and business leaders celebrated an announcement today that the UK has installed its 5th gigawatt of wind energy capacity, which places the country within reach of achieving 10 percent of electricity from renewables. Britain now generates more power from offshore wind than the rest of the world combined.

This milestone was achieved with the opening of the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm, a 300 megawatt project off the coast of Kent, and the extension of Crystal Rig, a 200 megawatt project in the Scottish borders that opened earlier this month.

For now, Thanet is the world’s largest offshore wind farm. But The Guardian reports that it will soon be surpassed by the Greater Gabbard offshore project’s 140 turbines and, later, the giant London Array in the Thames Estuary that is expected to generate 1000 megawatts.

Five gigawatts of wind represents 4 percent of the UK’s annual electricity consumption, with other renewables contributing around 5 percent. The UK currently has nearly 18 gigawatts of wind capacity either consented, in construction or in the planning system. When this is added to current capacity, it represents more than a third of peak electricity demand.

Officials said that for the first time ever on Sept. 6, 10 percent of the electricity supplied to UK consumers was generated from wind in a 24 hour period.

RenewableUK, the leading renewable energy industry body, welcomed the announcement but warned that if the UK is to achieve its targets on renewable energy and deliver on carbon emission reductions there must be a firm commitment from the UK government. Concerns are focused on ensuring there is a streamlined planning system, a stable financing mechanism in place to inspire investor confidence and the necessary infrastructure upgrades to allow renewable energy projects to connect to the grid.

“Today’s 5th gigawatt announcement and the news on 6 September that wind supplied 10 percent of all electricity to consumers serves to highlight just how mainstream this energy source has become,” Maria McCaffery MBE, Chief Executive at RenewableUK, said in a statement. “Each successive gigawatt we install is taking less and less time and with the right government policies in place we expect to be delivering between 3 and 4 gigawatts per year by the time the consented Round 3 projects begin construction.”

“Vestas is incredibly proud of its successful partnership with Vattenfall in building Thanet, the world’s largest operational offshore wind farm. This is yet another key landmark in the UK’s bid to meet its energy and climate goals, and create local UK jobs. The UK’s five gigawatt milestone is testament to industry achievement. Vestas looks forward to playing a major role in the UK Government’s future plans for on and offshore wind, and reducing the cost of energy.”

Christina Grumstrup Sørensen, Senior Vice President of DONG Energy Renewables said:

“Wind energy is a viable renewable technology and demand for new investments is increasing, particularly in offshore wind power. DONG Energy is already, together with partners, building the world’s largest offshore wind farm the London Array. We have invested £ 2.6 bn. in offshore wind projects, and with our 20 years experience in building offshore wind power we are contributing to Britain’s renewable energy future.”

Charles Hendry, Minister for Energy said:

“The Government has a very ambitious target of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. As we look to rebuild the whole of our energy infrastructure the development of wind is going to be a very important part of that process both onshore and offshore and so it’s critical towards achieving our goals of low carbon energy and energy security.”