Britain Faces Rising Costs to Shut Down Wind Farms Due to Grid Bottlenecks

Constraint payments to wind farms and reliance on gas plants have surged, costing consumers over £250 million in early 2025.

Constraint payments to wind farms reached £252 million in the first two months of 2025, a 60% increase from the same period last year.
Wind turbines are being shut off because grid bottlenecks prevent the transmission of excess power to areas of demand.
Gas-fired power plants are often used as replacements during grid shortfalls, significantly increasing costs due to high gas prices.
Critics argue for regional electricity pricing to reduce inefficiencies, though opponents warn it could deter investment in renewable energy projects.
The government is exploring solutions, including upgrading grid infrastructure and potentially implementing regional pricing, to address these inefficiencies.