Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to maintain (a) optionality and (b) competition in the Clean Power Plan.

Table 1 of the Clean Power Action Plan sets out a range of potential installed capacity levels for different technologies in 2030. This reflects the Government’s commitment to maintaining optionality by supporting a diverse mix of technologies capable of delivering a clean power system.

The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is the government’s main mechanism for supporting new low-carbon electricity generation projects in Great Britain. CfDs are awarded through regular, competitive auctions, with the lowest-priced bids successful.

We have recently consulted on reforms to increase competition in the CfD scheme. We will publish a full government response to this consultation before Allocation Round 7 opens in the Summer.