The UK government has confirmed changes to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme ahead of Allocation Round 7, including allowing repowered onshore wind projects to bid.
The reforms, announced after a consultation process, will also extend phased CfD policies to floating offshore wind projects, previously available only for fixed-based offshore wind.
RenewableUK welcomed the changes. Nathan Bennett, head of strategic communications, stated, “Enabling repowered onshore wind projects to bid into future auctions will ensure that vital generating capacity is not lost in the coming years and allow the country to make the most of its excellent wind resource by using more powerful, modern and efficient turbines.”
Bennett also highlighted the benefits of extending phased CfDs for floating wind, noting that it will “offer developers greater flexibility to progress projects at a rate that maximises cost-competitiveness.” However, he added, “We also need to see reforms which will bring forward the next round of test and development projects as soon as possible. These projects should be used to encourage the development of UK supply chains in floating wind, enabling us to scale up and deliver floating wind faster in the coming years.”
