UK electricity prices fall below zero thanks to wind power

Electricity prices in the UK have fallen below zero thanks to record wind power generation.

Here's what we know

Wind power generation peaked in Northern Ireland and Scotland on the evening of Tuesday 17 December, pushing electricity prices into negative territory. The National System Operator reported that wind power generation reached a record high of 22.4 gigawatts, providing more than 68 percent of the nation's electricity.

As a result, the half-hourly price fell to -£6.57 per megawatt hour between 5.30am and 6.30am on Wednesday. According to Dan McGrail, chief executive of RenewableUK, the development highlights the important role wind energy plays in maintaining the country's energy supply over the festive period.

This year, negative energy prices were recorded in the UK for 131 hours, 45 hours more than in 2023. Wind was the largest source of energy in the UK from January to September 2024.

Source : ecowatch