Wind power is now providing nearly half of the UK’s renewable electricity and the country is on the verge of having ten per cent of its electricity generated from renewable sources.

New government figures show that in the third quarter of 2010, the UK derived its biggest-ever level of energy supplies from renewable sources, including 8.6 per cent of electricity.

The statistics from the Department of Energy and Climate Change also show that the contribution from wind power has risen by 37 per cent compared to same quarter in 2009. RenewableUK, the country’s leading renewable energy trade association, said that wind now supplied just under half of all renewable electricity in the UK, making it the nation’s leading renewable technology in terms of actual units delivered to the grid.

Alex Murley, RenewableUK head of technical affairs, said: “We are now within reach of ten per of electricity from renewables, having had around two per cent a decade ago. The renewables industry has managed to deliver a five-fold increase in actual units delivered to consumers since 2001.

“This gives us confidence that, with the right policy support, we can deliver on our 2020 targets. There are no technological barriers to having a third of our electricity from renewables in the next ten years – it is perfectly do-able.”

Industry statistics show that there are currently 8,617 megawatts of wind farm capacity either in construction or with planning permits around the UK, scheduled to go on stream within the next two to three years. Together with existing capacity, this should push the total contribution from all renewables above that of nuclear power.

RenewablesUK said it would also mean that within the same period, onshore wind was set to become a major electricity contributor, providing around six to seven per cent of the UK’s net electricity consumption.

“We have been forecasting that wind will make an important contribution to the UK’s electricity supply within a comparatively short time frame.

“Wind is also set to provide not just clean electricity, but the jobs and the economic regeneration this country needs.

“Onshore the British Isles have the best wind resource in Europe, while offshore we are world-leaders. Building on these undeniable facts could transform the UK into a regional renewable energy powerhouse,” said Mr Murley.