Written question asked by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 December 2025. It was answered by Michael Shanks (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 December 2025 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Wind Power: Expenditure

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information he holds on annual expenditure over the last five years on payments to wind farm operators to curtail electricity generation.

Answer: The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero does not directly hold information on payments to wind farm operators to curtail electricity generation. NESO publishes annually a report on balancing costs. The 2025 Balancing cost report provides information on all balancing costs including constraints. In 2024/25, wind generators were paid a total of £370 million to turn down, i.e. to generate less power. Conversely, the cost of actions to turn-up gas plants to replace curtailed generation was £910 million.

Secondary information