Solar power has secured a record volume of support in the UK’s Allocation Round 7a (AR7a) auction, with almost 5GW of photovoltaic capacity awarded 20-year Contracts for Difference.
According to results published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), 4.9GW of solar projects cleared the Pot 1 auction at a strike price of £65.23/MWh in 2024 prices. The clearing price came in around 13% below the £75/MWh cap set for the round, with projects scheduled for delivery in 2027-28 and 2028-29.
A total of 157 solar schemes were successful. England dominated the results, accounting for around 4.2GW of awarded capacity. Scotland secured roughly 330MW, while Wales accounted for 327MW.
The largest single project to clear the round was Island Green Power’s West Burton solar scheme in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, which secured CfDs for nearly 480MW of capacity.
Among the other successful developers, RWE won contracts for three projects: the 50MW Brinsea, 30MW Honeyhall and 35MW Quarry solar farms. Low Carbon also featured among the winners, securing support for the 33MW Grantham, 20MW Stowmarket and 6MW Tonbridge projects.
The strong solar showing in AR7a underlines the technology’s growing role in the UK’s power mix, helped by falling costs and rapid deployment timelines, as the government pushes towards its clean power ambitions for the late 2020s.
