Britain has secured a record volume of solar energy capacity through its latest renewable energy auction, marking a major step toward meeting its clean power ambitions and reducing long-term electricity costs.
The government confirmed on Tuesday that the country, which aims to largely decarbonise its electricity sector by 2030, awarded contracts covering 6.2 gigawatts (GW) of new onshore wind, solar and tidal power projects. Solar accounted for the majority share, with 4.9 GW of capacity secured.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the investment would help shield households and businesses from volatile fossil fuel markets.
“By backing solar and onshore wind at scale, we’re driving bills down for good and protecting families, businesses and our country from the fossil fuel roller coaster,” he said in a statement.
The projects were selected under the government’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme — a mechanism that guarantees renewable developers a fixed “strike price” for the electricity they generate. If wholesale power prices fall below that level, the government makes up the difference; if prices rise above it, generators repay the surplus.
This was the seventh CfD auction round. Last month, ministers also confirmed a record amount of offshore wind capacity had been secured through the same programme.
Enough power for 16 million homes
In total, the seventh auction round delivered 14.7 GW of renewable capacity — enough to power approximately 16 million homes, according to government estimates.
Strike prices for onshore wind were set at £72.24 per megawatt hour (MWh) in 2024 prices, while solar projects were awarded £65.23/MWh. The government said these rates are significantly cheaper than the cost of building new gas-fired power stations.
A total of 157 solar schemes secured contracts, including EDF’s Cressing Solar Farm and RWE’s Clachaig Glen project, underlining the scale and competitiveness of the latest auction round.
