Watchdog queries £16bn contracts

%VIRTUAL-SkimlinksPromo%The Government may have pushed up costs for consumers by awarding £16.6 billion worth of contracts for renewables without competition, the spending watchdog has said.

Contracts for eight renewable energy projects were awarded early to avoid delays in investment as the Government brought in the new "contracts for difference" scheme, which guarantees an agreed price for electricity generated by low-carbon energy.