The UK has completed its largest renewable energy auction in history after awarding 4.9 GW of solar and 1.3 GW of onshore wind in the latest round of the Allocation Round 7 (AR7a). Combined with the 8.4 GW of offshore wind secured in January, the total clean capacity contracted under AR7 now reaches 14.7 GW, enough to power the equivalent of 16 million homes.

The results make AR7 the biggest clean energy procurement ever delivered in the UK, setting new records for both solar and onshore wind, while also securing new tidal stream projects. The government said the auction will help cut energy bills, deliver clean power by 2030 and strengthen the country’s energy sovereignty.

Solar achieved its largest-ever allocation, with 4.9 GW awarded, consolidating its role as one of the most competitive and cost-effective generation technologies. Meanwhile, onshore wind secured 1.3 GW, including the largest onshore wind project approved in England in a decade. New tidal schemes were also supported, further diversifying the UK’s renewable energy mix.

The auction delivered highly competitive prices, with onshore wind awarded at £72.24/MWh and solar at £65.23/MWh, both well below the estimated £147/MWh cost of new gas-fired generation. According to the government, this will help drive down wholesale power prices and shield households and businesses from volatile fossil fuel markets.

The awarded projects are expected to unlock up to £5 billion in private investment and support up to 10,000 jobs, delivering a major boost to the UK’s clean energy supply chain and regional economies.

Flagship projects include the Imerys Wind Farm in Cornwall, the largest onshore wind project to succeed in England in a decade; the Sanquhar II Wind Farm in Dumfries and Galloway, one of the UK’s largest onshore wind developments; and the West Burton Solar Farm, set to become the largest solar project ever to win a UK government renewables contract, transforming the site of the country’s last coal-fired power station into a major hub of clean power.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the results show that “clean British power is the right choice for lowering bills, strengthening energy security and protecting families and businesses from the volatility of fossil fuel markets”.

Meanwhile, industry bodies highlighted the importance of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme in providing long-term certainty for investors and accelerating the energy transition.