Boost in budget for renewable energy auction

Britain’s flagship renewables scheme has received a funding boost from government, with more than £1 billion for its upcoming auction.

They have announced the largest ever budget for the upcoming Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction round.

The Chancellor said at the Spring Budget that the funding shows the government's dedication to "roll out more clean, secure and affordable energy."

The government aims to improve economic security and opportunity for everyone while helping protect families and businesses from volatile global gas prices, as part of their plan to bring down energy bills in the long-term.

Following a review, the government has allocated a record £800 million for offshore wind, which has been given a separate funding pot.

The CfD scheme gives renewable energy projects a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate, boosting investment in the UK – which has increased renewable electricity generation from 7 per cent in 2010 to over 40 per cent now. 

By 2030, the government aims to deliver up to 50 gigawatts of offshore wind.

Since 2010, the UK has seen £300 billion of public and private low carbon investment. 

Claire Coutinho, energy security secretary, said the amount of electricity coming from renewables has risen by 32 per cent since 2010.

"We have the second largest renewables capacity in Europe, which is backed by £300 billion of investment since 2010, with £24 billion since September alone," she said.

Coutinho added: "We are sticking to the plan to deliver the long-term change our country needs to deliver a brighter future for Britain - securing more homegrown, green energy we can protect billpayers from volatile gas prices."