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Todays Demand for Wind turbines
Todays Demand for Wind turbines
Wind power accounted for 29% of the UK's total electricity generation in 2021, with 64 TWh stemming from onshore (29 TWh) and from offshore (35 TWh) wind turbines.
With total wind turbine generation power of 78,342,126 MWh/p.a., the current installed base of wind turbines amounts to 8,873 onshore installations and 2,652 offshore installations. Figure 1 shows the map of UK operational wind farms with a capacity above 0.5 GW, while Figure 2 shows an overview of the currently installed base and its development over time. In 2022, the cumulative installed capacity was 28,759 MW.
Figure 1: Map of UK operational wind farms in 2021
Figure 2: Historical UK cumulative wind turbine installed capacity
The installed base represents a significant material stock at known location and quantities, which is an important asset for the UK and allows potential component and material harvesting post usage.
Looking at the ramp-up at the beginning of the change of the millenium, we are currently observing the first wind turbines to reach their orignially designed end-of-use time of about 20 years.
This is likely to increase in the near future, the need for actively entering into CE revalorisation phases for these wind turbines comprising
prolongation of usage by refurbishment and revamping etc, including potential upgrades
improving material recovery by dedicated decommissioning including component harvesting and material recycling
Future Demand for Windturbines
Future Demand for Windturbines
Figure 4: Future cumulative installed capacity
Source: National Grid (2022)
According to the National Grid*, the UK will have 224.65 TWh offshore and 85.40 TWh onshore wind power electricity generation and 50.95 GW offshore and 30.77 GW onshore installed capacity in 2030. In 2050, the expected contribution of wind turbines to the energy mix is estimated to reach 549.8 TWh; out of which onshore is likely to provide 151.5TWh and offshore 398.3 TWh. With an expected 133.8 GW of total installed wind turbine capacity (89.06 GW offshore and 44.77 GW onshore), the number of wind turbine installations will continue to grow over the next 27 years.
*Note: Leading the Way scenario, Future Energy Scenarios 2022
Further Reading
Further Reading
National statistics: Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES): renewable sources of energy
Renewable UK
https://www.renewableuk.com/page/UKWEDhome
National Grid. Future Energy Scenarios
https://www.nationalgrideso.com/future-energy/future-energy-scenarios
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