A dramatic shift in weather patterns, described as a “weather bomb,” is set to deliver a mixed bag of chaos and opportunity to the UK. While gusts of up to 80mph and heavy rain threaten travel disruptions and potential property damage, the surge in wind power accompanying the storm is poised to slash wholesale energy prices after a period of near-zero renewable energy output.
Earlier this week, Great Britain experienced one of its lowest wind power outputs since September 2023, leaving the electricity grid heavily reliant on gas-fired power stations. This sharp drop in renewable generation, exacerbated by still, cloudy weather known as dunkelflaute in German, drove electricity prices to soar to nearly £250 per megawatt-hour (MWh) on Wednesday. Gas power stations were paid more than £500/MWh to meet peak household demand, underscoring the system’s vulnerability during renewable energy lulls.
However, relief is on the horizon. By Thursday and Friday, wind power output is forecast to skyrocket from just 0.4GW to 16GW, a 40-fold increase, bringing wholesale electricity prices plummeting to £107/MWh and £84/MWh respectively. This whipsaw effect highlights the immense potential—and challenges—of relying on renewable energy to power the nation.
The unpredictable nature of renewable energy has reignited calls for the UK to invest in “long-duration energy storage” to stockpile clean electricity when conditions are favorable. A select committee of MPs was told this week that such storage, including systems like pumped hydropower, is critical for achieving the government’s target of a fully clean power system by 2030.
Akshay Kaul, a director at energy regulator Ofgem, emphasized the urgency of scaling up storage solutions: “Periods of still, cold, cloudy weather have shown that batteries and interconnectors alone are insufficient. We’re creating a funding framework to attract private investment into long-duration storage to ensure these assets are built by 2030.” Kaul acknowledged the significant challenge of building large-scale infrastructure like pumped hydro storage but expressed optimism, saying, “We’re up for the challenge.”
RenewableUK’s Barnaby Wharton echoed this sentiment, advocating for a modern energy system that maximizes wind and solar power: “Wind and solar are the cheapest forms of new power and shield consumers from volatile international gas prices. Building resilience and flexibility into the system will ensure we keep costs down, even during periods of lower renewable output.”
The stakes are high. The UK’s energy system operator estimates that long-duration storage capacity must grow fivefold to at least 11GW by 2030 to handle fluctuations in renewable energy. Achieving this goal could save the electricity system £24 billion by 2050 and significantly reduce household energy bills.
As the “weather bomb” approaches, it underscores both the promise and the pitfalls of transitioning to a renewable-powered future. With strategic investments in storage and infrastructure, the UK has the opportunity to harness the full potential of its renewable energy resources, ensuring affordability and stability for generations to come.
