Scottish wind farms were paid to switch off almost 40% of their planned output in the first half of this year because the electricity could not be used locally or sent to areas of higher demand.
According to research from energy analytics firm Montel - published today by the Financial Times - the curtailed generation in northern Scotland cost £117million and amounted to four terawatt-hours, which is enough to power every household in Scotland for six months.
Wind farms in northern Scotland accounted for 86% of the total 4.6 TWh of electricity curtailed across Britain in the period, a rise of 15% compared with the same time last year.
The FT says the figures highlight the urgent requirement for additional grid infrastructure delivery across Scotland to allow for the power to be transmitted to southern consumers, while Fintan Devenney, senior analyst at Montel, has called on government and industry to work together on solutions.
The UK Government’s National Energy System Operator (Neso) manages output during the day to ensure generators do not exceed local grid limits and that consumers receive the electricity they have ordered.
Montel’s data shows Neso spent nearly £117 million in the first half of the year paying wind farms in northern Scotland to switch off – largely compensating for the subsidies they would have received if they had generated power. Those costs are recovered through charges on all consumers’ bills.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said the government was “delivering the biggest upgrade in Great Britain’s electricity network in decades, which will minimise constraint costs”.
Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “I have been clear that the current UK energy system is not fit for purpose. Significant investment is required to achieve a clean power system.”