Wind farms get £350m to switch off

SCOTTISH wind farms were paid nearly £350million to switch off in the first 11 months of 2025 — with the cost being added to electricity bills.

- BY DAVID WALKER Scottish Politics Reporter

Across the UK, a huge £1.45billion was handed to wind farm operators for their turbines to remain idle.

Called wind constraint payments, they are triggered during some of the windiest weather with the National Grid unable to cope with the influx of power.

Wind farms in Scotland were paid a massive £347m in 2025, according to figures from the Renewable Energy Foundation, although this total doesn’t include December.

It is likely to be the second highest annual total on record, slightly down from the 2024 high of £393m.

Ultimately, the constraint payments are paid for by households and businesses through their energy bills.