Wind energy has provided a net financial benefit of more than £104 billion to UK consumers since 2010, according to a new study by University College London (UCL) that challenges perceptions of renewable energy as a costly alternative.
The research, which modelled long-term impacts of wind generation on the UK energy market, found that wind power helped lower both gas and electricity prices over the past decade, demonstrating that sustainability, security and affordability can be achieved simultaneously.
Between 2010 and 2023, wind energy reduced electricity costs by £14.2 billion and natural gas prices by £133.3 billion, offset by £43.2 billion in government subsidies for wind power, the study found.
Researchers said that continued reliance on gas generation would have led to higher regional demand across Europe, further driving up gas prices.
Unlike earlier short-term analyses, the UCL study examined broader market effects, finding that wind generation “creates value for others while limiting its own profitability.”
The authors compared the role of wind energy to that of other publicly beneficial infrastructure. “Wind power can be viewed as a public good, like roads or schools, where government investment provides widespread economic benefits,” the report said.
However, the study noted that the current cost distribution raises fairness issues, as electricity users largely fund wind subsidies while gas consumers benefit most from reduced prices. The researchers urged policymakers to consider a more balanced approach to energy funding.
“The energy transition is not a costly environmental subsidy,” the report concluded. “It is a compelling financial investment.”
The findings come as the UK government continues to expand offshore and onshore wind capacity under its target to decarbonise the power sector by 2035, with wind now accounting for roughly a quarter of the country’s electricity generation.
