Global Wind Day – 15 June 2022.

8 August 2022

Did the wind turn up for its own party on Global Wind Day 2022?

You may remember a previous article where we presented the contribution of wind to grid demand on Global Wind Day in 2021 – see graph below.

Wind contributed an average of 13.2% of demand. Much better than the 1.5% on 15 June 2020 but still not good as there was a wind lull, where wind contributed less than 5% of demand, which lasted for 6½ hours between 3.30am and 10am. So has Global wind Day 2022 brought an even better contribution?

The answer is no. Wind contributed an average of 7.6% of demand with a minimum of 4% and a maximum of 12.7%. Again there was a wind lull which lasted for 6½ hours between 4.30am and 11am. Variation in demand was met by gas (CCGT) and interconnectors with nuclear and biomass making a steady contribution.

The government’s strategy to meet its zero carbon targets proposes a three-fold increase in installed wind power by 2030 and a doubling of biomass, whilst halving nuclear and gas capacity for a similar level of demand. What will compensate for this variability in contribution from wind?