The additional financial support comes as analysts have grown increasingly concerned about the commercial viability of offshore wind, which the UK is relying on heavily to meet its goal of securing 15% of its energy needs from renewables by 2020.
From 1 April, the new banding regime will give offshore wind 50% more financial support per megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity produced than onshore wind, through the government’s Renewable Obligation (RO) scheme.
