Storm Amy Pushes UK Energy Prices Below Zero – As Wind Farms Are Paid to Switch Off
Storm Amy has plunged parts of Britain’s electricity market into negative prices as record wind generation floods the grid, a situation that experts say highlights both the power and the paradox of the UK’s push toward Net Zero.
Record Wind Output, Record Price Collapse
Data from the UK’s National Grid shows that gale-force winds from Storm Amy sent wind-farm output surging to more than 22 gigawatts overnight, briefly supplying over two-thirds of Britain’s total power demand. With supply outstripping consumption, wholesale electricity prices dropped below £0 per megawatt-hour for nearly 17 hours, one of the longest negative runs on record.
Traders reported prices as low as –£0.42 /MWh for Saturday delivery, according to market data cited by Energy Connects. Such events force generators to pay buyers to take their electricity, since shutting down large turbines or gas plants can cost even more.
“When we see storms like Amy, the grid gets flooded with renewable power faster than it can be used or stored,” said Craig Dyson, senior analyst at Cornwall Insight. “Negative prices are a symptom of success but also of missing infrastructure.”
Consumers: Some Winners, Mostly Watchers
Households on dynamic tariffs, such as Octopus Energy’s ‘Agile’ plan, are already seeing negative retail prices for short periods this weekend, meaning customers could actually be paid to use electricity. However, most UK homes on fixed-rate plans won’t benefit directly.
“Only a small slice of consumers can take advantage,” said Dr Catherine Holt of the Energy Policy Centre. “For everyone else, the financial impact is neutral, though it still costs the system millions in balancing payments.”
The Net Zero Paradox: Paying to Turn Off Green Power
Storm Amy has reignited debate about the government’s Net Zero energy strategy. Grid operators have been forced to curtail renewable output, effectively paying wind farms to stop producing power, even as the country imports gas for backup generation.
“It’s absurd that Britain can have too much clean energy and still burn gas elsewhere,” said Jonathan Marshall, energy economist at the Resolution Foundation. “We don’t have enough storage or interconnectors to use what nature gives us.”
National Grid ESO paid more than £100 million in constraint costs during previous wind surges; analysts expect similar figures this weekend. Critics argue that without rapid investment in large-scale battery, pumped-hydro, or hydrogen storage, the UK will continue to waste renewable power during storms.
Calls for Storage Revolution
Industry leaders are urging the government to prioritise long-duration storage capacity. The Renewable Energy Association estimates Britain needs up to 30 GW of grid-scale storage by 2030, nearly six times current levels.
“Every megawatt we can’t store is a megawatt we throw away,” said Nina Skorupska CBE, REA chief executive. “Storm Amy proves we’re generating enough renewable power – now we must learn to keep it.”
Storm Amy’s Wider Impact
The Met Office confirmed gusts above 80 mph in exposed coastal areas. One person has died and thousands of homes were left without power overnight, though most have since been reconnected. Network operators are continuing emergency repairs across northern England and Scotland.
Outlook: A Glimpse of the Future Grid
Negative pricing events are expected to become more frequent as Britain expands offshore wind capacity. Analysts warn that without accelerated investment in storage, smart demand, and flexible grid design, the UK could face a cycle of volatility, cheap electricity during storms, costly top-ups when the wind drops.
“Storm Amy is a preview of 2030,” said Dyson. “We’ll have days when power is virtually free, followed by days when it’s scarce and expensive. The challenge is smoothing that rollercoaster.”
For now, Storm Amy has delivered a rare spectacle: Britain briefly paid to use electricity, a moment that underlines both the triumph and the growing pains of the clean-energy transition.
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Sources: Financial Times, Energy Connects, The Guardian, National Grid ESO, REA, Cornwall Insight (verified 3 October 2025)
