There will be NO new offshore windfarms will go ahead in the UK after the latest government auction, which has been slammed as ‘biggest clean energy disaster in years.’
Companies had warned ministers repeatedly that the auction price was set too low for offshore windfarms to take part.
Offshore wind farm bids
In response, Keith Anderson, the chief executive of ScottishPower, said: “This is a multibillion-pound lost opportunity to deliver low-cost energy for consumers and a wake-up call for government.
“We all want the same thing – to get more secure, low-cost green offshore wind built in our waters. ScottishPower is in the business of building windfarms and our track record is second to none in terms of getting projects over the line when others haven’t been able to. But the economics simply did not stand up this time around.”
Journalist Javier Blas wrote: “A UK government auction for offshore wind has failed to attract any bids — the latest sign of trouble brewing in the renewable energy industry.”
Greenpeace respond
Greenpeace said today’s “failed renewables auction” is the biggest disaster for clean energy in almost a decade, and will put the UK’s decarbonisation target in jeopardy.
Greenpeace UK’s policy director, Doug Parr, said: “This monumental failure is the biggest disaster for clean energy in almost a decade. Thanks to cost pressures and inept government policy, this auction round has completely flopped – denying bill payers access to cheap, clean energy and putting the UK’s legally binding target of decarbonising power by 2035 in greater jeopardy. It leaves the UK more dependent on expensive, imported fossil gas.
“Offshore wind is one of the cheapest and cleanest forms of power there is, but in an effort to save consumers pennies on their energy bills, the government is costing them pounds. We need urgent reforms to the way these contracts are awarded and smart changes in government policy to unlock private investment and remove planning bottlenecks. If they don’t, the new renewables – which are essential for lowering bills, increasing energy security and slashing emissions – simply won’t get built.”
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