Boost for offshore wind as government raises maximum prices in renewable energy auction

Read full press release: www.gov.uk/government/news/boost-for-offshore-wind-as-government-raises-maximum-prices-in-renewable-energy-auction

• Maximum prices available for offshore wind increased by 66% for Contracts for Difference round next year
• projects could also get more money from 2025 auction if they reduce carbon emissions in their supply chains and demonstrate positive social impact on communities
• changes will attract continued investment in the UK and further cement position as global leader in clean energy

The government has increased the maximum price for offshore wind projects in its flagship renewables scheme to further cement the UK as a world leader in clean energy.

Following an extensive review of the latest evidence, including the impact of global events on supply chains, the government has raised the maximum price offshore wind and other renewables projects can receive in the next Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction to ensure it is performing effectively.

The CfD scheme ensures renewable energy projects receive a guaranteed price from the government for the electricity they generate, encouraging continued investment in the UK – which is already home to the world’s 5 largest operational offshore wind farm projects and has increased electricity generation from renewables from 6% in the first quarter of 2010 to 48% in the first quarter of this year.

The maximum strike price has been increased by 66% for offshore wind projects, from £44/MWh to £73/MWh, and by 52% for floating offshore wind projects, from £116/MWh to £176/MWh ahead of Allocation Round 6 (AR6) next year.

This will help ensure projects are sustainably priced and economically viable to compete in AR6, building on the success of previous CfD auctions. These have so far awarded contracts totalling around 30GW of new renewable capacity across all technologies since 2014.

In AR6, offshore wind will also be given a separate funding pot in recognition of the high number of projects ready to participate. This will ensure healthy competition among a strong pipeline of projects, helping the UK deliver on its ambition of up to 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, including up to 5GW of floating offshore wind.

First established nearly a decade ago, the CfD has helped reduce the cost of renewables. It aims to deliver good value to electricity consumers and drive down costs. The government’s ambitions will create tens of thousands of new jobs by 2030, while also delivering the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the economy.

See Contracts for Difference (CfD): Allocation Round 6.

The government is also today (Thursday 16 November 2023) publishing developed proposals to review applications from the 2025 auction not just on their ability to deliver low cost renewable energy, but also on how much a project strengthens the environmental and economic sustainability of the industry. As part of this, a project’s social impact will also be considered – including how supply chains affect jobs and communities.