The benefits of onshore wind to the UK’s low-carbon future are “not being recognised through access to subsidies”, according to a report by the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC).
The ‘Congestion, Capacity, Carbon: Priorities for National Infrastructure’ report said the agency will consider “whether there are unnecessary barriers in place preventing the deployment of onshore wind, one of the cheapest renewable technologies”.
The NIC report outlined seven priority areas for UK infrastructure, including digital connectivity and transport, noting that onshore wind is currently excluded from the next round of the government’s Contracts for Difference auctions.
Trade association RenewableUK executive director Emma Pinchbeck said: “Ministers should take a fresh look at onshore wind as a way to deliver their Clean Growth Strategy and the upcoming Industrial Strategy objectives because it’s the cheapest way to generate power.
“Onshore wind deserves the freedom to compete against other technologies”.
The NIC provides the UK government with impartial, expert advice on major long-term infrastructure challenges.
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UK ‘ignoring onshore benefits’
Government agency to consider whether sector is up against ‘barriers'
By EBS