The fourth round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme – to open in late 2021 – will aim to double the capacity of renewable energy compared to the last round and expand the number of technologies supported, with offshore wind, onshore wind, solar, tidal and floating offshore wind projects all eligible to bid.
This will be coupled with a new consultation looking at the supply chain and ways to support more jobs and private investment by increasing the competitiveness of UK manufacturers.
The fourth round aims to increase the capacity of renewable energy from the 5.8GW achieved in the last round to up to 12GW.
Offshore wind projects will compete in their own ‘pot’ in the next auction process rather than against other technologies as they have previously. Floating offshore wind projects will be able to bid for contracts for the first time.
And as announced in March, solar and onshore wind projects will be able to bid for the first time since 2015, coupled with a commitment to update guidance for new onshore wind schemes in England.
