RenewableUK has welcomed the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s reforms to the Contracts for Difference for Allocation Round 7 onwards.
RenewableUK’s head of strategic communications Nathan Bennett (pictured) said: “We welcome the reforms to the Contracts for Difference auctions which secure investment in new clean energy projects outlined by Government.
“There are proposals here, which will start from next year onwards, which are undoubtedly in the interest of billpayers and energy security, including enabling repowered onshore wind projects to bid in to future auctions.
“This will ensure that we don’t lose vital generating capacity in the coming years and allow us to make the most of the excellent wind resource we have by utilising more powerful, modern, efficient turbines.”
Bennett said that the government’s decision to extend the policy of phased Contracts for Difference for floating wind projects is also a positive move, as it will provide greater flexibility for developers to develop these projects at a pace that maximises their cost-competitiveness.
However, RenewableUK said the industry needs 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, according to the representative organisation.