Fourteen major companies in the renewables industry have today called on the UK government to include onshore wind in Contract for Differences auctions.
In a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Greg Clark, the signatories said “new onshore wind power can be secured at a subsidy-free price”.
However, the companies require the certainty provided by the contracts to generate power in order to recoup the investment required to develop and build new projects and ensure they are financially viable.
Onshore wind is currently excluded from competing against other technologies in the government-backed CfD power auctions.
The letter was signed by developers ScottishPower Renewables, SSE, Innogy, Statkraft and Vattenfall, as well as supply chain companies Siemens Gamesa, Vestas, CS Wind, RJ McLeod, Farrans Construction , AE Yates, REG Power Management, Athena PTS and RSK.
They offer to “deliver the new onshore wind capacity required to help the UK government meet its climate goals, and provide low-carbon power that will keep consumer bills down. Indeed, resuming pot 1 Contract for Difference auctions between 2019 and 2025 would provide a payback to consumers of £1.6bn”.
The letter adds that new onshore wind could also deliver 18,000 skilled construction jobs, 8500 long-term skilled positions and stimulate supply chain investment, resulting in 70% UK content in projects.
RenewableUK executive director Emma Pinchbeck said: “We trust the Secretary of State will take account of the views of these major UK employers who are offering to build subsidy-free projects as part of the clean energy system of the future.
“His department’s opinion polls consistently highlight the overwhelming level of public support for onshore wind. New onshore wind would be a triple win for consumers, the environment and UK businesses.”