The government has published the results of the latest Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction. The cost of offshore wind has halved since 2015, with three new projects clearing the latest CfD round at just £58/MWh from 2022-23.

The Guardian reports that the government is now under pressure to reconsider its commitment to a new generation of nuclear power stations after the cost of offshore wind power reached a record low. The risk of spending too much on nuclear is also spelt out by the Green Alliance, although the Prime Minister said in response to a question at Prime Minister’s Questions that “we do need affordable, clean energy to keep the lights on in the decades ahead. Nuclear energy is an important part of our energy mix.”

The three offshore wind farms – Triton Knoll, Hornsea Project 2 and Moray – will join eight other renewable generation schemes to deliver more than 3GW of power, at a total forecast cost of £176.2 million a year (in 2012 prices).

Energy UK chief executive Lawrence Slade welcomed the results, saying: “Today’s exceptionally low results are further evidence of how the cost of clean energy is continuing to fall, and the move to a low carbon future is delivered at the lowest cost to consumers”.

The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable said the falling price for offshore wind “is extremely encouraging and shows the need for a radical reappraisal by government of the UK’s energy provision”.

The results of the auction will no doubt influence Dieter Helm’s energy cost review, previously reported in Water News.