Contracts for Difference: AR7 Solar and Onshore Wind Results

Tuesday 10th February 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)]

The seventh contracts for difference auction results for onshore wind, solar and tidal stream have been published today—with a record number of projects, 189, totalling 6.2 GW.



Along with offshore wind results published in January, this makes allocation round 7 the largest round ever delivered, securing an unprecedented 14.7 GW of new clean energy capacity across Great Britain. This marks a major step forward in accelerating our clean power mission with successful onshore wind and solar AR7 capacity estimated to support up to 10,000 direct and indirect jobs at its peak.

Today’s announcement will support enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of over 3 million homes, helping to shield the UK from volatile global fossil fuel markets and deliver long-term affordability for consumers.

We have secured a record number of projects across the lowest cost energy sources to build and operate. Once built and generating, the new clean, home-grown power secured today will reduce household bills. New onshore wind cleared at £72.24 per MWh, and new solar at £65.23 per MWh, both under half the £147 per MWh cost of building and operating new gas power stations.

Today 4.9 GW of solar has been procured, which is the largest ever procurement of solar projects in the UK, at a clearing price that is lower than the previous round and a 13% discount to the auction ceiling price.

Some 1.3 GW of onshore wind contracts have been awarded, including the largest onshore project to be successful in England in over a decade and over 1 GW in Scotland. Through Government action to provide dedicated budget for onshore wind for the first time, we have achieved significant new capacity at a competitive price, with a discount of over 20% against the auction ceiling price.

The CfD scheme continues to support innovation in marine energy with four new tidal stream projects totalling 20.9 MW. This brings total CfD backed tidal stream capacity to 140 MW, maintaining the UK’s world leading position in this emerging technology. Tidal stream provides predictable, reliable power that complements intermittent generation from wind and solar. Around half of the world’s operational deployment of this cutting-edge innovation is situated in UK waters.

By supporting a diverse mix of offshore wind, onshore wind, solar and tidal stream projects, the AR7 package strengthens the UK’s ability to keep energy secure, affordable and resilient year-round—while delivering on clean power ambitions. This protects households from global energy price shocks, which have contributed to half of all recessions since the 1970s. In 2025 alone, global gas prices spiked more than 15% in a single week due to instability in the middle east, demonstrating the need to build a more secure and sovereign energy system.

The results of the solar and onshore wind auction announced today, along with the offshore wind result last month, are together a significant step forward for the clean power mission. Securing record capacity across Britain of the cheapest power sources and supporting thousands of new jobs—this Government are taking back control of our energy system and helping bring down bills for good.

[HCWS1318]