Energy prices to PLUMMET with 100mph weather bomb slashing electricity cost by 50% as tornado gusts see wind power surge
AN IMMINENT “weather bomb” is expected to slash the cost of electricity by 50 percent as tornado gusts send wind turbines into overdrive.
Energy prices have been sky-high recently after wind farms produced the lowest levels of electricity since September 2023, so the dip will be welcomed by cash-strapped Brits.
Cloudy and still weather dragged electricity production down to almost zero on Wednesday.
Combined with greater demand from people to see them through the cold, dark months, this meant the price of electricity climbed to almost £250 per megawatt-hour – seven times the pre-pandemic price.
But gusts of up to 100mph whipped up by Storm Eowynon on Thursday and Friday will fire the industry back up.
Wind-powered energy output is expected to surge 40-fold within 48 hours – meaning prices will be slashed by more than half.
The fluctuation in renewable energy output has reignited calls for the UK to invest in “long-duration energy storage”, where electricity can be set aside in times of high production.
It could then be drawn up into the national grid during electricity droughts.
Akshay Kaul, a director at energy regulator Ofgem, said: “We’ve seen this winter that when you have a period of still, cold, cloudy weather [that] batteries on their own, and [power] interconnectors on their own, are not sufficient.”
Ashkay said Ofgem was setting aside funds to attract investment in long-duration energy storage, which it hopes will be built by 2030.
Aside from cheaper energy, there is little reason to celebrate the imminent bout of freak weather.
Torrential rain and snow is expected to accompany the gale-force winds in some areas of the country.
Travel disruption is very likely and flying debris could cause damages to cars and buildings.
The strongest wind gusts are expected in Northern Ireland and southern parts of Scotland on Friday, and the Met Office has issued a red warning for these areas.
This is the most severe alert level and means the weather is likely to cause “substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure”.
Thousands of schools are expected to close, with drivers being warned to stay off the roads.
A tornado has already ripped through Cornwall ahead of the storm, tearing tiles from roofs and smashing down fences.
Over 4.5 million people have received warnings to their phones about the imminent danger, telling them to stay alert.
The startling warning pinged directly to the phones of the 4.5 million people affected across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland.
The alert was issued to urgently raise caution ahead of the 100mph winds in specific areas.
A siren was heard by those who had set their devices to silent.