New clean energy projects to power millions of homes

11 new energy projects worth £176 million per year have been successful in the latest competitive action for renewable technologies.

The projects demonstrate that the UK continues to be an attractive place to invest in clean energy.

The government is committed to investing in clean technology as set out in its Industrial Strategy and upcoming Clean Growth Plan.

The approach drives cost reductions in the renewable energy industry - the cost of new wind projects starting to generate electricity from 2022-23 are now 50 per cent lower than the first auction in 2015.

Competition has driven down costs for consumers too. The capacity delivered in this auction cost up to £528 million per year less than it would in the absence of competition.

Projects are to be delivered across Great Britain from Wales to the Scottish Highlands and the West Midlands from 2021.

The investment will help the UK meet its climate targets and support jobs in Britain’s growing enable industry.

The UK has the largest offshore wind capacity in the world and low carbon businesses have a combined turnover of £43 billion, employing 234,000 people.

Richard Harrington, Minister for Energy and Industry, said: “We’ve placed clean growth at the heart of the Industrial Strategy to unlock opportunities across the country, while cutting carbon emissions.

“The offshore wind sector alone will invest £17.5 billion in the UK up to 2021 and thousands of new jobs in British businesses will be created by the projects announced today. This government will continue to seize these opportunities as the world moves towards a low carbon future, and will set out ambitious proposals in the upcoming Clean Growth Plan.”