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UK Secures Record 8.4GW of Offshore Wind in AR7 Auction

Ministers tout prices below new gas with billions in private investment to support the 2030 clean‑power goal.

Overview

  • Six fixed-bottom projects won contracts, including Berwick Bank, Dogger Bank South, Norfolk Vanguard and Awel y Môr, plus floating schemes Erebus and Pentland.
  • Fixed offshore wind cleared at an average £90.91/MWh under 20‑year CfDs, versus a government LCOE for new gas of £147/MWh; floating contracts were £216.46/MWh.
  • The government says the awards equal power for about 12 million homes, unlock roughly £22bn of private investment and support about 7,000 jobs.
  • Following the results, officials said a £204m Clean Industry Bonus could leverage £3.4bn for UK ports and factories, including up to £1.1bn in Scotland and up to 2,400 jobs.
  • Analysts and opponents warn delivery risks remain, citing grid-connection bottlenecks, higher contract prices and potential bill impacts estimated by critics at around £1.8bn a year.