Five Contracts for Difference (CfD) backed projects in the UK became operational during the 2020/21 financial year, increasing the total installed capacity commissioned under the scheme to 5600MW.
The latest annual reports from Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) and Electricity Settlements Company (ESC) cover the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021, a year of operating during the pandemic.
Newly operational projects contributed to a combined low carbon electrical output from the CfD portfolio of 22.66 terawatt-hours between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021, equivalent to that required to power Scotland in 2020.
In addition, shortly after the financial year end, six AR3 projects, representing 16 CfD contracts and 5.5GW, 95% of the allocated capacity, achieved their milestone requirement in April 2021.
Neil McDermott, LCCC chief executive, said: “2020/21 was an extraordinary year and I have been delighted with the performance of the business and LCCC’s response to the challenges presented by covid-19.
“Our employees worked closely with the sector to continue to deliver progress in decarbonising the GB electricity sector.
“Business operations have continued uninterrupted while our continuous improvement and strategic initiatives have delivered as planned.
“I am proud to have seen how CfD generators have worked to address the challenges and deliver their projects, which are now contributing to the UK’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.”