Storms help GB wind generation hit new high

Winter storms saw wind power generation across Great Britain hit a new high.

Wind generated 29TWh in Q1 2026, the highest level for any quarter, although output could have been even higher if 3.6TWh of potential generation had not been curtailed due to transmission constraints, according to Montel EnAppSys.

“Despite the good news of higher wind output, curtailment remained a key feature of the system, reflecting transmission constraints between northern generation and southern demand centres,” said Phil Hewitt, director at Montel EnAppSys.

“While renewable deployment must continue in order to meet the government’s 2030 clean power targets, the continual curtailment of wind is already pushing the narrative beyond the need for more renewables, focusing more on the effective siting of generation and need for greater grid investment and planning.”

Total renewable generation reached 40.3TWh in Q1 2026, up from 33.7TWh in the same period last year.

Renewables accounted for 52% of total electricity generation in Great Britain during the quarter.