£22 million announced for renewable energy

Energy security secretary Grant Shapps has announced a £22 million boost for government’s flagship renewables scheme.

The scheme is the government's main system for supporting low-carbon electricity generation and has already led to an increase in the proportion of the UK’s energy coming from renewables.

In 2022, renewables fuelled around 42 per cent of the UK’s electricity generation – this is up from 7 per cent in 2010.

The new funding will go towards an increased budget for established technologies such as solar and offshore wind – from £170 million to £190 million; an increase in the budget for emerging technologies such as floating offshore wind – up from £35 million to £37 million; and maintaining £10 million ring-fenced budget for tidal stream projects.

Shapps said: "Today’s funding through our flagship Contracts for Difference scheme – the lifeblood of our renewables industry for nearly a decade – will help grow our economy by making Britain the first choice for investors in renewable energy projects and secure skilled jobs for future generations.

"This will be the case for established technologies like solar, and new innovations like floating offshore wind and, alongside our backing for oil and gas, carbon capture and our revival in nuclear, will ensure we can help power more of Britain from Britain for decades to come."

The news comes the same week as the government announced an increase in oil and gas permits, which was met with widespread criticism.

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