UK closes in on 18 GW following solar deployment data update
Revised data brings annual PV additions to 1.3 GW for 2024, putting 18 GW of total deployed capacity within touching distance. However, a significant increase in deployment speed is essential to hit UK government clean energy targets for 2030.
UK government proposes longer CfD contracts, wider commissioning window for solar PV
Consultation ahead of seventh Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocation round proposes longer contract lengths in a bid to reduce strike prices and lower cost of finance for renewables projects. A wider target commissioning window for solar projects is also proposed, in response to larger capacity plants in the pipeline.
CfD auctions must break records to hit UK solar targets, says Aurora Energy Research
Big results needed in next two contracts for difference (CfD) allocation rounds to hit UK renewables targets, according to Aurora Energy Research. Solar likely to benefit from greater CfD budgets as government targets faster deployment, Marc Hedin, head of research for UK and Ireland, tells pv magazine.
UK commits to hydrogen-to-power subsidy mechanism
The UK government announced a new business model for hydrogen, based on dispatchable power agreements available to carbon capture technologies.
UK’s largest PPA to date signed for 373 MW solar park
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners announces two long-term agreements covering 100% of solar power generation at Cleve Hill Solar Park. British supermarket retailer Tesco has signed a 15-year agreement covering 65% of generation and Shell will manage remaining capacity under 10-year route-to-market deal.
UK allocates more than 3 GW of solar through CfD auction
Record contracts for difference (CfDs) auction for UK solar results in more than 90 projects securing fixed-price contracts. It follows intervention from the new UK government in summer 2024 to increase the auction budget. Strike prices achieved for all renewables technologies were well below the auction’s ceiling price.
Romania gives green light to CfD scheme
Romania’s Ministry of Energy has approved a new contracts-for-difference (CfD) mechanism, set to launch later this year. The first round will include 500 MW of solar, with the remaining capacity to be allocated in next year’s tender.
Acciona Energía wins 12-year CfD for 189 MW in Croatia
The Spanish utility says the 189 MW Promina project, currently under development, will be Croatia’s largest solar farm upon commissioning in 2027.
UK government earmarks GBP1.5 billion for contracts for difference pot
The UK government has increased the budget for its sixth Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction by half. Extra allocation includes millions of pounds for technologies such as solar and onshore wind, but offshore wind enjoys the lion’s share of the budget.
Statkraft signs PPA for 80 MW solar plant, with storage in pipeline
Deal sees Statkraft portfolio of solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) rise to 1,425 MW in Great Britain. The company also has multiple gigawatts of contracted flexible capacity on the British grid.
