UK: CfD AR7 results announced

CfD AR7 results

On 14 January 2026, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (“DESNZ”) announced the results of allocation round 7 (“AR7”) of the Contracts for Difference scheme (“CfD”). AR7 focuses solely on offshore and floating offshore wind projects, with AR7a covering other technologies (the sealed bid window for AR7a closed on 12 January 2026 and results are due to be announced in February 2026).

The total capacity of successful projects is just under 8,500MW, broken down into offshore wind (6,865MW), offshore wind – Scotland (1,380MW) and floating offshore wind (192.5MW).

The results also set out the clearing price for each technology type, with fixed bottom offshore wind coming in at £91.20/MWh (£89.49/MWh for Scotland) and floating offshore wind clearing at £216.49/MWh (in 2024 prices).

Simon Davies, partner in our Global Energy Group, comments:

“It is encouraging to see a record auction in terms of capacity being procured in this allocation round and this signals the UK offshore wind industry being back on track. However, there are a number of significant offshore projects in development that have not been able to secure a contract this time and some will consider this as a missed opportunity to go “all in” for 2030, unless AR8 is accelerated with equal or greater ambition”

What should I do?

Congratulations to all those projects that have been successful in AR7. Ensure that you sign and return your contract, once received, to the Low Carbon Contracts Company, and complete any initial conditions precedent by the relevant deadlines.

For all applicants, if you want to talk to a member of our team about your route to market options and next steps, please do get in touch.

Further reading

UK: Consultation published on CfD allocation round 8 changes | Eversheds Sutherland