UK Renewables March 2026 Round‑Up
March was a lively month for the UK’s clean‑energy sector, with policy shifts, record-breaking generation and a renewed push on grid upgrades all shaping the landscape. Here’s a quick, readable sweep of what mattered.
CfD auction delivers a much‑needed boost
The latest Contracts for Difference round landed well, with 14.7GW of new renewable capacity approved. Offshore wind dominated, but solar and onshore wind also secured strong support.
A longer 20‑year contract term has gone down well with developers, who see it as a sign that the government is serious about stabilising investment conditions.
Solar, onshore wind and tidal projects gain momentum
Industry updates through March highlighted a healthy pipeline across solar, onshore wind and tidal. Analysts also noted that ongoing geopolitical tensions — particularly in the Middle East, continue to push up global gas prices, making domestic renewables even more attractive for long‑term stability.
A new generation record for wind and solar
Late March saw the UK’s renewable fleet hit a fresh high, with 34GW generated around midday on the 25th.
Wind contributed almost 24GW
Solar added close to 10GW
Gas dropped to just 2.4% of the mix
This pushed day‑ahead power prices to their lowest point since autumn.
Grid, storage and data‑centre energy projects accelerate
Recruitment and project activity remain strong across grid upgrades, battery storage, offshore wind and data‑centre energy infrastructure. The sector is clearly gearing up for a busy few years as demand for electrification and digital infrastructure continues to climb.
Cheaper electricity on windy days — trials begin
The government has kicked off a new scheme allowing suppliers to offer lower electricity prices in areas with abundant wind generation.
The aim is simple: reduce costly grid constraint payments and let consumers benefit directly when the wind is blowing. Early modelling suggests constraint costs could fall by around 60% as upgrades roll out.
