Commenting on the announcements on energy policy made by the Chancellor John Healey in his Autumn Budget speech, RenewableUK’s Executive Director of Policy Ana Musat said:
'The Chancellor is right to focus on measures to drive down the cost of energy for hard-pressed billpayers. He highlighted the fact that clean power is the key to achieving this - new wind and solar projects are our cheapest power sources.
'Renewables are already lowering bills by driving the most expensive gas generators off the system, so they meet the affordability test he set out in his Budget speech. Wind farms cut electricity prices by almost a third in 2025, and wind and solar have saved consumers £5.9 billion so far this year by avoiding the need to import more gas.
'We agree that Contracts for Difference offer the best guarantee of clean power at stable and predictable low prices, protecting consumers from the volatility of international gas markets which we can’t control. This system, which has been copied all over the world, enables us build new generation as cheaply as possible, reducing bills by moving away from costly fossil fuels.
'We welcome the Chancellor’s recognition of the importance of connecting projects to the grid more efficiently and more rapidly. The National Audit Office says households could be £30 a year better off if Britain can accelerate its network rollout, rather than continuing at today’s slow pace. Progress on connections and maintaining momentum on grid buildout will benefit the whole economy, unlocking investment across sectors including manufacturing, tech and transport'.
Source: RenewableUK
