Renewable schemes scoop £315m in public funds

The first renewably energy schemes to win funding through the government’s contracts for difference (CfD) programme have been announced.

The biggest winners are two offshore wind farms, East Anglia Phase 1 and Neart na Gaoithe in the Moray Firth. Together they will provide 1162 megawatts of capacity.

Additionally, 15 onshore wind projects and five solar schemes have been awarded contracts.

In total, 27 projects have been offered funding worth £315m, which will result in over 2 gigawatts of new capacity being created, said the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

CfD aims to drive down energy prices by encouraging suppliers to bid for projects by auction.

The first round of projects will deliver around 550 megawatts more capacity than could have been funded without competition, according to DECC. The price for solar came in at up to 58% lower than the price would have been without competition, offshore wind at up to 18% lower and onshore wind at up to 17%, it added.

Contracts have been offered to a range of companies, including small developers and independent generators.

Energy secretary Ed Davey said: “This auction has delivered contracts for renewables projects right across the UK.

“These projects could power 1.4 million homes, create thousands of green jobs and give a massive boost to home-grown energy while reducing our reliance on volatile foreign markets.

“The auction has driven down prices and secured the best possible deal for this new clean, green energy.”