UK wind power output increases by 25%

Wind energy generation for 2012 increased by 25% on previous year, with the greatest increase coming from offshore projects, according to government statistics.

UK 2012 wind power generation largely attributed to offshore growth

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) said that offshore wind generated 7.5TWh of electricity, an increase of 45.5%. Onshore wind also delivered more power, growing by 15% to deliver 11.9TWh.

Both figures were attributed to an increase of installed capacity, which rose by 2.4GW in 2012, split equally across onshore and offshore installations. Together they represent 57% of installed renewables capacity.

Average load factors across the year for both onshore and offshore wind fell — to 25.8% and 35.1% respectively — attributed to lower wind speeds, particularly in the last quarter.

The offshore wind sector saw an increase in installations of 63% last year. The UK boasts the world's largest offshore wind fleet, with 2012 installed capacity just under 3GW, up from 1.8GW a year earlier.

Onshore installed capacity rose by 1.2GW to 8.3GW across the UK, an increase of almost 16.9%.

Total renewables generation increased by 2% last year to 11.3%, with wind's share of generation rising by 31.5%. Reductions were seen in generation of gas and nuclear.

Data released today is part of a regular energy trends statistical series issued by Decc.