Photo by Mario Ray

The UK government has announced it will open its next renewable energy auction – Allocation Round 8 (AR8) – in July 2026, bringing forward the tender in response to mounting concern over Britain’s exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband framed the decision as part of a broader drive for energy independence, saying: “Global events demonstrate there’s not a moment to waste in our clean power mission: bringing forward the next renewables auction just months after our most successful ever.”

AR8 follows January’s AR7, which secured 8.4 GW of offshore wind capacity, the largest procurement of offshore wind in a UK CfD auction to date, and the biggest single offshore wind procurement Europe has ever seen. The government says the two most recent rounds combined have confirmed enough clean power to supply the equivalent of 23 million homes.

Competition and value for billpayers

RenewableUK welcomed the announcement. Chief Executive Tara Singh said AR8 represented “an important step towards strengthening Britain’s energy security”, adding: “Recent global events have shown, yet again, how exposed we remain to shocks in international fossil-fuel markets, and the best way to reduce that vulnerability is to generate more of our own electricity here in the UK, at the stable prices wind and solar offer.”

As many as 18 offshore wind farms could potentially compete for contracts in AR8, alongside new onshore wind and solar projects. Singh stressed that strong competition between projects is essential: “A high level of competition between projects is exactly what delivers the best value for billpayers. To secure it, developers need clear and decisive action on grid connection dates, charges and delivery timelines, so that projects can bid with confidence.”