Reform tells energy firms it would scrap their clean power subsidies
Reform UK has told Britain’s biggest wind and solar developers it would end their access to a clean energy subsidy scheme if it won power.
Deputy leader Richard Tice has written to firms giving them “formal notice” that the party would axe deals aimed at offering sustainable generators protection against market volatility.
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme sees developers guaranteed a fixed price for electricity – independent of the wholesale price – in the hope of encouraging companies to invest in renewable projects.
In a letter on Wednesday to companies including Octopus Energy and SSE Renewables , Mr Tice claimed “there is no public mandate for the real-world consequences” of the clean power agenda.
If Reform won an election, he said “we will seek to strike down all contracts signed under AR7” – the upcoming allocation round for CfDs.
“Let me be clear: if you enter bids in AR7, you do so at your own risk. The political consensus that has sheltered your industry for nearly two decades is fracturing.”
“Inevitable decline”
He added that participation in the upcoming CfD auction “carries significant political, financial and regulatory risk” for company shareholders.
Climate analysts said the move would drive away investment and put British jobs in jeopardy.
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said: “Polling shows the public see clean energy as the number one growth sector for the UK.
“Arguing against British renewables is arguing for more foreign gas, which will increasingly come from abroad as the North Sea continues its inevitable decline – a geological fact.
“Ripping up long-term policies and changing agreed contracts is likely to destroy the UK’s credibility as a solid place to invest and with it, leave us more reliant on gas from abroad whose price we have no significant control over.”
“Myths”
Labour said the letter showed Reform was “actively trying to discourage businesses from investing in clean energy in the UK – leaving bills higher for families, threatening hundreds of thousands of good jobs across the country and putting our energy security at risk.”
“They are disgracefully trying to undermine the UK’s national interest,” a party spokesman said.
Mr Tice’s letter followed a Government decision to allow offshore wind farms to be able to apply for the energy contracts while they are still waiting for full planning consent in a bid to hasten development.
Officials have said changes to the scheme will include increasing the length of contracts from 15 years to 20 years for offshore wind, onshore wind and solar projects.
The letter also came shortly after Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said greater use of CfDs would cut bills for households by breaking the link between electricity costs and the price of gas.
He said: “We’re all paying that higher gas price in our bills, even though most of the energy we’re using comes from much cheaper, renewable sources.”
Sir Ed also accused Reform leader Nigel Farage of peddling “myths” about net zero and vowing to challenge “snake oil sales” with “thought through” policy.
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Tell me you’re pro-Russia without telling me you’re pro-Russia.
Oil companies have them in their pocket. This party will destroy the UK, the 20 billion black hole is nothing compared to the 90 billion this bunch on incompetent idiots would inflict on the UK because they are bought and paid for. In my book that is traitorous.
How is farages best mate doing with the Epstein list?
https://www.desmog.com/2025/05/30/reforms-clean-energy-crackdown-would-cost-60000-jobs-and-raise-energy-bills-says-study/
50% of their finaces come from fossil fuel companies.
By the time Farage leaves the office of PM, Britain will most likely be a desert.
More flat earth logic our fairweather Anglo French fascist Nigel Farage and Reform UK. Besides wanting to reindustrialise Wales by reopening all those long disused flooded pits and opencast mines without telling us where the money is coming from, would like to see less wind turbines and no doubt more towering chimney stacks spewing out carbon emissions causing pollution and respiratory problems to our longsuffering communities. And I suppose he also wants to do a doge to save money by keeping all those 2557 dangerous coal tips Insitu rather than see them removed and restored as a crowning glory to… Read more »
At least Reform will do away with ridiculous net zero targets which is boosting the cost of energy borne by Joe Blogs consumer.
The reason renewables are costing more than they should is because their contracts are linked to the price of gas. Your plan to abolish renewables and rely on gas doesn’t make anything cheaper because expensive gas is still a problem. Producing more of our own gas doesn’t help because it won’t change the global price of gas.
In the USA gas is far cheaper than the global price.
Gas meaning methane not petroleum.
Yes, methane (CH4).
PS Wind power is also effectively rendered more expensive because of the hidden cost of back-up generative power for when the wind doth don’t blow.
Gas is the backup. Just like your gas hob you can dial it up and down on demand unlike most other forms of generation. If the wind blows half the time you use half the gas you’d use without wind.
And the reason gas is never cheaper than the global market price is that private companies extract it and they aren’t charities. Why would they sell it for less to locals if someone else is willing to pay more.
Hot on the heels of Reform clown Gareth Beer we have Reform’s other clown Richard Tice spoutinng more idiocy.
Iv e really got to get the hanng of this keyboord.
What this doesn’t highlight is the 5k+ new jobs with over 20 years of work that these proposals are predicted to bring to South West and Southern Mid Wales in the design, construction and maintenance of these off shore wind platforms. It does show the hypocrisy that is Reform as while their local members scream build turbines offshore in opposition to windfarms in Powys their national leadership is seeking to destroy confidence and investment in the offshore industry. The reality is that key Reform politicians are as deeply in hock to Big Stupid Oil as most Americans and they dont… Read more »