Environment & Climate

Healey says he will veto new offshore wind projects that fail to cut bills

The Guardian reports that John Healey will veto new offshore wind projects that do not lower bills, alongside more than £3bn in energy budget cuts.

Updated Oct 31, 2026 · 12:24 UTC1 reports

The short version

John Healey has said he will veto new offshore wind projects that do not lower bills.[The Guardian]
Subsidy bids would be approved only if the grid can absorb all generated power without raising consumer costs.[The Guardian]
The move comes alongside more than £3bn in energy department budget cuts, much of which will fund higher defence spending.[The Guardian]
A National Audit Office report in September warned of a potential £7.8bn annual bill by 2030 for grid and turbine curtailment.[The Guardian]

John Healey has said he will veto new offshore wind projects that do not lower bills.[The Guardian]
Ministers would approve new offshore wind subsidy bids only if the grid can accommodate all generated power without raising consumer costs.[The Guardian]
Healey revealed more than £3bn in cuts to the energy department's budget, much of which will pay for higher defence spending.[The Guardian]
A National Audit Office report in September warned of a potential annual bill of £7.8bn by 2030 to deal with grid capacity and switched-off wind turbines.[The Guardian]

The £7.8bn figure is a potential cost estimate from a September National Audit Office report, not a confirmed bill.[The Guardian]
The available reporting does not set out how ministers would judge whether a project will lower bills or avoid pushing up consumer costs.[The Guardian]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.