Ofgem has been urged to investigate after it emerged that Scottish wind farm operators were paid £30 million in compensation while an underwater cable link to England was out of action for a month. The Western Link interconnector “tripped” on February 19 and was not reinstated until last Thursday. The sum paid in compensation over the period represents almost a quarter of the £124.6 million in “constraint payments” across Britain during the whole of last year. Operators of onshore wind farms receive these payments to power down when supply outstrips local demand and bottlenecks in the grid prevent exports. The money is paid out by the National Grid but ultimately charged to consumers and added to electricity bills.
Times 27th March 2019 read more »
