Gusty winds bring record wind energy to Spain

Stormy March weather might not make for pleasant outdoor strolls but Spain has discovered it’s great for wind-powered electricity.

The Spanish Wind Energy Association reported that high winds blowing across the country on 5 March helped the nation break an all-time record for wind energy generation (PDF). For several hours, the gusty weather generated enough wind power to meet 40 percent of Spain’s electricity needs, with a peak at one point reaching 42 percent of demand.

Overall, wind energy last year helped meet 11.5 percent of the nation’s electricity needs, the association said.