The UK government officially opened the application window for the seventh Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round on August 7, allowing renewable energy developers to submit projects for consideration in the upcoming auction.
Developers have until August 27 to enter eligible projects into the auction, according to the latest timeline published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). Following the application phase, qualifying bidders can submit sealed bids during a week-long window, which could take place between October 21-27 under the shortest possible schedule, or as late as January 5-9, 2026, if appeals by non-qualifying applicants extend the process.
Auction results are expected to be announced between December 9-10 at the earliest and February 25-26, 2026 at the latest, depending on the duration of the round.
A record 25 gigawatts (GW) of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity is eligible to compete for CfD contracts in Pot 3, which carries a maximum strike price of £113 per megawatt-hour (MWh) based on 2024 prices. The eligible capacity increased by nearly 9GW following a government decision to remove the requirement that projects must have secured planning permission before bidding.
In addition, more than 450 megawatts (MW) of floating offshore wind capacity can enter Pot 4, where the maximum strike price is set at £271 per MWh.
The expansion of eligible projects reflects ongoing efforts to accelerate the UK’s renewable energy development and support its net-zero ambitions.
