January 2026 saw the UK set a new milestone for wind power generation, reaching an all-time high of 10.6 terawatt-hours (TWh), a significant jump from the previous record. The surge in renewable energy, driven by severe storms, helped reduce the country’s reliance on costly gas, saving an estimated £164 million in a single month. The remarkable wind generation figures came at a time when energy prices were volatile, marking a clear shift toward more sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions.
Storms Push Wind Power to New Heights
The dramatic rise in wind power generation was largely driven by the powerful storms that battered the UK in January. Storms Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra unleashed hurricane-force winds, pushing turbines to generate 10.6 TWh of electricity, surpassing the previous record set in December 2023 by 3%. According to energy think-tank Ember, the increase in wind output helped lower the need for gas generation, which fell sharply to 9.1 TWh, 17% lower than in January 2025.
Despite the disruption caused by the storms, which brought heavy snow, intense rainfall, and coastal damage, the surge in wind generation played a critical role in keeping energy costs down. The extreme weather conditions may have caused significant damage, but they also provided the UK with the clean power necessary to meet its rising energy demands.
Wind and Solar Combined Set New Records
The record-setting month was not only defined by wind power but also saw wind and solar energy together set a combined generation record of 11.1 TWh. This achievement, 5% higher than the previous high set in December 2023, illustrates the growing contribution of renewables to the UK’s energy mix.
Ember’s analysis showed that, without the increased wind generation, the UK would have needed to import an additional £164 million worth of gas in January alone to meet its energy needs. This rise in renewable energy was crucial as electricity demand surged to 29 TWh during the cold spell, up by 2% compared to the previous year.
A Step Toward a Greener Future
This milestone is part of a broader trend toward increasing renewable energy capacity in the UK. Following the country’s successful 2026 offshore wind auction, which secured 8.4 GW of new capacity, Britain is on track to add more wind power generation this year. Currently, the UK has 33 GW of installed wind capacity, with an additional 4.7 GW expected to come online in 2026.
The January 2026 record further solidifies wind energy’s role in securing the UK’s energy future. As the nation continues to build on its renewable infrastructure, wind power will likely play a larger role in both meeting winter demand and mitigating the impact of high gas prices. With more projects in the pipeline, Britain is well-positioned to lead in the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy.
