The provisional timetable for the first Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round, originally published early in 2014 and subsequently updated, has been revised as from 15 December and the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), which is now responsible for co-ordinating the CfD Implementation Plan, has made a number of milestone changes.
Whilst no further applications for eligibility for the current round are being considered, the proposed CfD auction notice date has now been set at 17 February 2015 with the sealed bids window now ranging from 18 February 2015 – 24 February 2015.
The auction outcome (or cancellation of the round) will be announced by the Secretary of State on 16 March 2015 and the earliest date by which successful applicants can be notified of their award is now 18 March 2015.
The timeframe for the contracts themselves to be processed and distributed has now been put back to between 19 March – 1 April and the deadline for the return of the signed contracts to the LCCC is 17 April 2015.
This December update by the LCCC notes that the current dates are based on Tier 2 appeals (e.g. those regarding CfD applicant eligibility) completing by 6 February 2015 and failure to meet this target will further impact on the milestones, likely resulting in additional delays. No specific reason is given by the LCCC for the current round of delays which may mean delivery of parts of the scheme are more problematic than anticipated – potentially involving a significant number of eligibility disputes.
The renewable energy team at Stephens Scown has experience in dealing with subsidies and income for all renewable energy technologies and in interpreting the regulations surrounding Contracts for Difference. For further information please contact Peter Cooper or Sonya Bedford on 01392 210700 or by email to renewables@stephens-scown.co.uk