Background to wind energy

The UK’s first commercial wind farm was built in 1991 in Cornwall and since then there has been significant growth in the industry.

As the windiest country in Europe¹, it is not surprising that wind is now the UK’s largest and most cost-effective source of renewable energy.

The UK successfully hit its 2020 target for carbon emissions² and continues to work towards a net zero target by 2050. This is expected to strengthen support for clean energy generation to ensure we hit this target.

To help achieve this obligation, successive Governments have offered various support mechanisms to the owners of renewable energy generating projects.  Previous subsidies included the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme and Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs).  The UK’s current Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is the primary mechanism for supporting low-carbon electricity, offering 20-year contracts with stable, inflation linked revenues.

Participating in wind energy

Elm Trading’s wind division acquires and operates wind energy installations. Wind and other forms of renewable energy generating assets provide a stable income return, often with the benefit of long-term Government backed subsidies, which are linked to inflation.

The portfolio currently contains over 85 wind farms across the UK. Together the sites generate over 525,000MWh of clean energy, sufficient to power over 195,000 UK homes each year.³

Almost all the assets within the portfolio are accredited for the FIT, ROC or CfD subsidy to provide a secure income stream linked to inflation.

Why wind energy is an attractive trading opportunity:

• The installations themselves and the land represent tangible assets with a related value
• Government renewable energy subsidies provide a secure inflation-linked income
• Strong established secondary market for mature and established energy generating assets, which helps provide liquidity within the overall portfolio

¹ https://olsights.com/exploring-wind-energy-in-the-uk/
² https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/progress-in-reducing-emissions-2024-report-to-parliament/#:~:text=Final%20emissions%20data%20confirm%20that,MtCO2e%20in%202023
³ All information correct as at 30 April 2026. UK homes powered based on Ofgem typical domestic usage consumption values for electricity (medium level in 2026 of 2,700 kWh).