AR7 deep dive: UK CfD pipeline grows by 14.7GW, but delivery risk shifts to the grid

The UK government’s seventh Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocation round, AR7, has delivered one of the largest single tranches of renewable capacity ever secured under the scheme. Across all technologies, 14.7GW was awarded: 8.4GW of offshore wind confirmed in January, and 6.2GW secured across solar and onshore wind in the latest AR7a results. Great Britain now has nearly 52GW of capacity under 20-year CfD contracts, of which less than 10GW is currently online. For context, peak transmission demand recently stood at 47GW. If delivered on time, the contracted pipeline will fundamentally reshape the country’s generation mix by 2030. But awarded capacity does not automatically translate into operational capacity. inspiratia takes a closer look at the pricing dynamics and awarded capacity behind the headline numbers.