The UK generated a new record of 4.199GW of wind power earlier this week – a figure which renewable backers are championing for showing the wind source is reliable.

National Grid confirmed the figure at 3pm on Tuesday, which represented 9.3% of the total demand at the time. Its initial forecast for Tuesday afternoon was 4.055GW, an error of 2.7% of installed capacity.

Alan Smart, Energy Operations Manager at National Grid said: “The forecasting performance was excellent. Our wind-forecasting tool is under continuous development and we have done a lot of work to improve our forecasts on high wind days. As more wind generation is connected to the system, this tool will become increasingly important in helping us manage the electricity system.”

Scottish Renewables welcomed the news: “These figures from National Grid confirm what many of us have known for some time; that onshore wind is making a significant contribution to meeting our electricity demands, is a reliable energy resource and can be forecast with accuracy by those responsible for managing our electricity grid.”

A 4GW installed capacity was announced in September, which shows a continuous rise in wind power generation in the UK.