9.58 GW of Renewable Energy Contracts Signed in UK’s Latest CfD Auction

November 15, 2024, by Adnan Memija

The Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), a UK government-owned company, has signed 130 contracts for a total of 9.58 GW of renewable energy generation, covering the projects that were successful in the country’s latest Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocation round 6 (AR6).

AR6 secured a broad range of technologies from wind and solar to emerging, innovative projects like tidal and floating offshore wind.

Offshore wind developers were awarded contracts for approximately 5.3 GW of capacity.

In the Round 6 auction, nine contracts for fixed-bottom projects were awarded, totalling 4.9 GW, while a single contract was granted for a floating wind project to Green Volt Offshore Windfarm, a consortium of Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn.

Once operational, AR6 projects will see 9.58 GW of renewable generation coming online, bringing the total CfD capacity to 34.74 GW. According to LCCC, this is the highest number of contracts ever signed in a single round.

“We acted decisively to increase the budget for Allocation Round 6, delivering the most successful renewables auction to date. Securing more clean energy projects is how we protect billpayers from volatile fossil fuel markets, strengthen energy security and deliver our mission to make Britian a clean energy superpower by 2030″, said UK’s Energy Minister Michael Shanks.

As part of AR6, ScottishPower has been awarded contracts for two projects, including its East Anglia Two offshore wind farm that will see 963 MW of clean energy come online in 2028/2029.

In the past month, the developer has finalized several supply chain agreements for East Anglia Two, including a contract with Siemens Gamesa for the provision of 64 of its advanced SG 14-236 DD wind turbines.

“It’s fantastic to reach this milestone for so much renewable generation, and especially pleasing to see offshore wind leading the charge towards a cleaner and greener future”, said Ross Ovens, ScottishPower’s Managing Director for Offshore Development and Operations.

“We’ve been moving at pace since our success in the auction to confirm the supply chain for our £4 billion East Anglia TWO windfarm, which will produce enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of almost one million homes.”