Cornwall Insight said the outcome of AR7a will give the UK fresh momentum as it pushes toward secure, homegrown energy.
Renewable generation lead Lucy Dolton said the 1.3GW of onshore wind and 4.9GW of solar capacity awarded shows investors remain committed to the UK.
Dolton added that the investments strengthen the UK’s position against volatile gas markets.
She said delays remain a major risk, noting that 2.5GW of capacity has a delivery year of 2027/28 and 3.7GW is scheduled for 2028/29, bringing projects close to the government’s 2030 clean power target.
Dolton stated that many UK renewable projects have historically been held up by grid backlogs and planning.
“To fully realise the value of this new capacity, we will need rapid expansion of storage assets and a strengthened grid, to ensure electricity can move to where it is needed,” said Dolton.
She added: “The new first-ready, first-connected approach to connections, coupled with reforms to flexibility contracts to manage the system, aim to realise this, but changes will take time.”
Dolton said: “AR7 is a step forward, but its impact will depend on the UK’s ability to deliver these projects on time, get the grid ready, and build the storage to support them.”