This latest round will be open to renewable
technologies including onshore wind and solar, with
proposals to include floating offshore wind. The scheme
will also be changed to facilitate the deployment of
energy storage.
Local communities will have a more effective voice on
developments that impact them, through proposals for
tough new guidance on community engagement for
developers of onshore wind across Great Britain, also
announced today. 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.
The Committee on Climate Change have said that we need
to quadruple renewable energy generation in the UK to
reach net zero by 2050, and today’s announcement is a
step in that direction.
Secretary of State for Business and Energy 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.
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive said:
The government is pressing ahead with action to meet
our net zero emissions target quickly and at lowest
cost to consumers and businesses. Backing cheap
renewables is a clear example of the practical action
to tackle climate change that the public is
demanding, and this will speed up the transition to a
net zero economy.
Today’s consultation outlines proposals to ensure the
Contracts for Difference scheme can support the
increased ambition required, including:
- making the UK a world-leader in new technologies
such as floating offshore wind, which would allow wind
farms to be built further away from the shore and
increase clean energy capacity
- supporting our renewables supply chain to enhance
productivity and increase competitiveness, boosting the
UK’s world-class clean energy industry
- improving the scheme to better support energy
storage, so projects can provide power when the wind
stops blowing or the sun is not shining
This is part of the Year of Climate Action, a defining
year for our country and our planet, in the run up to
the UK hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26)
in November.
Notes to editors
The consultation is available here and
closes on 22 May 2020.
Today’s consultation invites views on the structure of
the next allocation round, expected to open in 2021.
The rights of local communities across GB will be
strengthened further through tough new guidance
outlined in the consultation.
