Windfarm windfall for customers

Windfarms across Great Britain are returning millions of pounds to customers for the first time, helping soften some of the blow from a massive spike in energy prices.

Offshore windfarms paid back nearly £117 million for the final three months of last year, while onshore producers returned more than £40m to consumers.

The payments are due to a complicated subsidy scheme which forces renewable energy generators to repay some of the money they charge if prices rise above a certain point.

The money will go into a pot which will be used to offset some of the massive hike in energy bills of up to 50 per cent, expected to take place in April.

CREDIT: By Emily Beament and August Graham, PA