Key renewables auction countdown begins

The next Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction round, which will play a key role in the Government clean power’s push, is expected to open in August.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has indicated a prospective start date of 7 August for Allocation Round 7 (AR7) with results expected by the end of 2025 or early in 2026.

Industry leaders see the latest round as seen as critical in delivering the volumes required to keep the country on track for Clean Power 2030.  RenewableUK has said a strong project pipeline is “essential for triggering supply chain investment”.

A number of reforms are planned for the latest tender, including allowing a Contract Budget Notice to be published later in the allocation round process rather than the current requirement for 10 days before the application window opens.