Written question asked by Lord Teverson (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 18 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 July 2026. It was answered by Lord Whitehead (Labour) on Thursday, 2 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Renewable Energy: Contracts

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government how they intend to minimise the impact on large renewable projects that are in the planning stage and which are adversely affected by bringing forward the timetable for Allocation Round 8 by one month.

Answer: The Contracts for Difference Scheme (CfD) runs annually. For Allocation Round 8, the Government confirmed in March it would open the round in July (in AR7, the round opened in August). The government does not expect this year's timeline to have a substantial constraining impact on the available pipeline of renewable projects. However, inevitably some projects will not be sufficiently progressed to meet the CfD entry criteria by the opening date and will need to look to future rounds should they wish to secure a CfD.

Secondary information