UK backs biggest English onshore windfarm in a decade among 190 green energy projects
#onshore wind #solar power #UK government #clean electricity #green energy #carbon emissions #energy subsidies
📌 Key Takeaways
- The UK government awarded contracts to 131 green energy projects to reach a clean power grid by 2030.
- The deal includes the largest onshore windfarm project in England in over ten years.
- A record number of 115 solar energy schemes received government backing in this round.
- The projects are supported by the Contracts for Difference mechanism, providing financial stability for developers.
📖 Full Retelling
The British government greenlit 131 new green energy projects across the United Kingdom on Tuesday, including the largest English onshore windfarm in a decade, to accelerate the nation’s transition toward a clean electricity system by 2030. This massive expansion of renewable capacity was secured through the latest 'Contracts for Difference' auction, which provides developers with guaranteed price subsidies to shield them from market volatility. The initiative serves as a cornerstone of the administration's broader climate strategy, aiming to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower energy bills for households through domestic power generation.
Among the 131 projects approved, the government confirmed support for a record-breaking 115 solar schemes, signaling a significant shift in the scale of the UK's solar ambitions. The headline project, however, remains the substantial onshore wind development in England, which marks a major departure from previous years of restrictive planning laws that had effectively stifled wind energy growth. By diversifying the energy mix with both wind and solar, officials expect to stabilize the national grid while drastically cutting carbon emissions over the next six years.
Industry experts and environmental advocates have largely welcomed the announcement, noting that the volume of contracts awarded represents a significant rebound for the sector. The focus on onshore wind in England is particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a legislative thawing toward local renewable projects that were previously difficult to approve. As these projects move toward the construction phase, they are expected to create thousands of green jobs and strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in the renewable energy market, while moving closer to the ambitious 2030 decarbonization target.
🏷️ Themes
Renewable Energy, Environment, Infrastructure
📚 Related People & Topics
Government of the United Kingdom
His Majesty's Government, abbreviated to HM Government or otherwise the UK Government, is the central executive authority of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The government is led by the prime minister (Sir Keir Starmer since 5 July 2024) who advises the monarch on the appoi...
🔗 Entity Intersection Graph
Connections for Government of the United Kingdom:
- 👤 Keir Starmer (18 shared articles)
- 👤 Labour Party (16 shared articles)
- 👤 Peter Mandelson (5 shared articles)
- 👤 Downing Street (5 shared articles)
- 🌐 Westminster (4 shared articles)
- 👤 Jeffrey Epstein (4 shared articles)
- 👤 Morgan McSweeney (3 shared articles)
- 👤 Ed Miliband (3 shared articles)
- 👤 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2 shared articles)
- 👤 Local Government Association (2 shared articles)
- 👤 Anas Sarwar (2 shared articles)
- 👤 Wes Streeting (2 shared articles)
📄 Original Source Content
<p>Government also offers contracts for record number of solar schemes as it aims to create clean electricity system by 2030</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/feb/10/global-stocks-record-highs-bp-annual-profits-slump-us-retail-sales-live-news-updates">Business live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>The largest onshore windfarm in England in a decade has been awarded a government subsidy among