Technologies will compete for contracts via two categories through an auction process which opens tomorrow (29 January) and closes 04 February 2015. This is different to other schemes such as the Renewables Obligation and Feed-in Tariffs, for which support is not subject to competitive auctions.
While the immediate priority is a successful first auction process, the REA has expressed specific and consistent concerns regarding the CfD policy and these need to be addressed by the next government.
REA policy analyst Frank Gordon said: “We welcome an increase in the CfD budget, and await with interest the outcome of the first allocation round. However, there remain concerns around CfD policy particularly for independent generators and other established and cost effective technologies such as solar and biomass which must be addressed by the next government following the election.”