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UK Approves 190 Renewable Energy Projects, Boosting Clean Power for 16 Million Homes

Prime Highlights

  • The UK government has approved 190 renewable energy projects, including the largest onshore wind farm in England in a decade.
  • The new projects are expected to generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of 16 million UK homes by 2030.

Key Facts

  • A total of 157 solar farms, 28 onshore windfarms, eight offshore wind projects, and four tidal schemes secured government contracts.
  • Solar projects will receive £65.23 per megawatt hour (MWh), while onshore wind projects will earn £72.24 per MWh under the latest agreement terms.

Background:

The UK government has approved the largest onshore wind farm in England in ten years as part of a major expansion of renewable energy projects aimed at delivering a clean electricity system by 2030. The project is among 190 green energy schemes awarded government-backed contracts in the latest funding round.

The new onshore windfarm, known as the Imerys project near St Austell in Cornwall, will have a capacity of 20 megawatts. It marks a significant step forward for England’s wind industry, which had slowed dramatically during the previous restrictions on new onshore wind developments. The project is being developed by Clean Earth Energy and represents renewed momentum for land-based wind power.

Alongside onshore wind, the government awarded contracts to a record 157 solar farms, 28 onshore windfarms, and eight offshore wind projects. Four tidal energy schemes also secured support. In total, the new renewable projects are expected to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 16 million UK homes by the end of the decade.

One of the biggest projects approved is the 480-megawatt West Burton solar farm, which will be the largest solar project ever backed by the UK government. In Scotland, bigger onshore wind projects also won contracts, including one with a capacity of 186 megawatts.

Under the new contracts, solar projects will be paid £65.23 per megawatt hour (MWh), while onshore wind projects will receive £72.24 per MWh at 2024 prices. These prices are still much lower than the cost of producing electricity from new gas power stations. Offshore wind projects will receive higher rates, reflecting greater construction and operational costs.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said expanding solar and wind power at scale will help reduce energy bills, strengthen energy security, and protect households and businesses from global fossil fuel price volatility.

The latest auction is seen as a crucial step in meeting the government’s clean power target and accelerating the transition to domestically produced renewable energy.