Boris Johnson’s UK government has confirmed that onshore wind will be eligible to compete in the next Contracts for Difference round, which is to take place in 2021.
UK Energy Department BEIS said readmitting the technology into the auction, the first time since 2015, is a step in the direction of quadrupling renewable energy generation in the UK and hitting its net zero targets.
As part of the proposals, BEIS said local communities will have a more ‘effective voice on developments that impact them” via proposals for “tough new guidance on community engagement for developers of onshore wind across Great Britain”.
“They will have a definitive say on whether projects are allowed to proceed. It will remain the case that no English onshore wind project can proceed without the consent of the local community,” added the Energy Department.
BEIS Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Ending our contribution to climate change means making the UK a world leader in renewable energy.
“We are determined to do that in a way that works for everyone, listening to local communities and giving them an effective voice in decisions that affect them.”
Solar, floating wind and energy storage will also be able to participate in the scheme, BEIS confirmed. Consultation documents on the proposals are available here.
The news comes on the eve of a planned hearing on Banks Renewables’ Judicial Review claim against the UK government for omitting onshore wind from the CfD process.
The UK onshore wind developer alleged that energy department BEIS broke EU law by not formally notifying the European Commission when it excluded onshore wind from CfD auctions.
BEIS, which has previously said it will defend the claim, has declined to comment on the case.
Banks Renewables also declined to comment. Its managing director Richard Dunkley said last year the challenge was a “last resort”, which he hoped will be “resolved” quickly.
“We simply desire a level playing field, and believe consented onshore wind farms are legally entitled to participate in all CfD auction processes,” he said last year.
“The exclusion of the onshore sector is clearly contrary to the open, transparent and non-discriminatory way in which the CfD scheme was expected to work.”