The United Kingdom is often seen as a green champion, leading initiatives in the fight against climate change. A crucial part of this mission has been the shift towards renewable energy sources. However, an important figure from the energy sector has now voiced concerns that the tax environment may be stunting the growth of renewable projects.
The Recent Setback in UK’s Onshore Renewable Contribution
Community Windpower, a prominent green energy firm, has recently had to halt a significant onshore wind project due to increasing financial strains. The issue lies in the increasing tax burden on renewable producers.
Rod Wood, the managing director of Community Windpower, alerted that his company won’t be the last to exit green projects if the current situation persists. He stated that the current levies on renewable producers act as a formidable barrier to investment in the sector.
“We need to incentivise, to attract startups and green businesses here. Look at lower taxes, not higher taxes,” he urged.
The Harsh Realities of Renewable Energy Investment
Renewable power like wind and solar is essential not only for sustainable energy production but also for allied industries such as battery storage and hydrogen. It also holds significant potential for sectors such as artificial intelligence and pharmaceuticals.
However, Wood warned of a potential ‘brain drain’ to rival markets such as the US and the European Union if the investment conditions worsened. These regions have more supportive subsidy arrangements for low carbon energy and technology, which could prove attractive to the local talent.
The United States’ ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ introduced last year, offering over £300bn in green investment for domestic projects, serves as a clear example. Similarly, the European Union’s more robust green initiatives make these regions more attractive for new projects.
The Cost of Inaction and Competitive Risks
“All the graduates from the UK’s best universities will be looking to work abroad because the new tech startups and industries will not be here,” Wood highlighted, signifying the possible talent exodus to overseas markets due to unsupportive investment conditions.
Community Windpower’s decision follows last month’s event, where it had to hold off investment plans for a major onshore wind farm in Scotland, which would have powered 350,000 homes and would have been the fourth largest in the UK. This project was abandoned due to a sudden 80% increase in costs from £300m to £550m due to inflation and a new tax on renewable generators.
Facing the Challenges: Inflation and the Electricity Generator Levy
Currently, the UK is grappling with a stubborn inflation rate of 6.1%, peaking well above 10% earlier this year. This inflation rate is putting significant pressure on renewable generators.
Adding to the burden, a 45% levy has been imposed on the sale of wholesale electricity from renewable and nuclear producers on companies still operating on legacy contracts. Named the Electricity Generator Levy, this additional cost comes into play if receipts are in excess of £75 per megawatt hour. This new levy, introduced last November, is expected to continue until March 2028.
Wood has criticised this regime, calling it a “full blockage” for new projects with no real reflection of what’s happening in global markets.
Observing the Ripple Effects
This climate of uncertainty is adding to growing concerns over the UK’s investment climate. The chill winds were felt after Swedish developer Vattenfall suspended a development off the Norfolk coast in July due to a cost spike of 40%.
Additionally, the recent allocation round for offshore wind projects saw no major bids for new sites – a disappointing outcome. A major reason behind this shortfall was the proposed reforms; industry leaders argued that these were insufficient to reignite the developments after an eight-year de facto moratorium on projects.
Government’s Response
When approached for a reaction, a government spokesperson affirmed that the Electricity Generator Levy was a temporary measure responding to unforeseen and exceptional geopolitical events, with an end date set for 31 March 2028.
They affirmed that the alleged impact on generators’ incentive to invest has been reduced by setting the benchmark price at a relatively high level. They added that the levy is helping to fund the cost of living support for millions of families and businesses.