Tenders (Contracts of Difference)

Updated: 05.01.2019

Author: Georgios Maroulis

A Contract for Difference (CfD) is a private law contract between a RES-E generator and a CfD Counterparty - Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), wholly owned by the UK Government. The CfD is based on a difference between the market price and an agreed “strike price”. Where a “strike price” is higher than a market price, the CfD Counterparty must pay the RES-E generator the difference between the “strike price” and the market price. Where market price is higher than the “strike price”, RES-E generator must pay back the CfD Counterparty the difference between the market price and the “strike price”. An operator of eligible RES-E technology, willing to secure a Contract for Difference, has to take part in an allocation round. The first allocation round took place in October 2014. The CfD scheme is currently in place in England, Wales and Scotland. From April 2017 the CfD scheme is the only support scheme for all new RES-E projects over 5MW. The first Allocation Round took place in October 2014 and the second Allocation Round of CfD took place in April 2017. The third round is expected to take place in May 2019.  

 

 

 

 

Eligible technologies and support requirements

In general, eligible for the CfD scheme are wind energy (onshore and offshore), solar PV, geothermal energy, hydro power, wave, tidal stream, landfill gas, sewage gas, Anaerobic Digestion (AD), gas formed by gasification or pyrolysis of biomass or waste, biomass conversion, and dedicated biomass with CHP (Schedule of CfD Definition of Eligible Generator Regulations 2014). The CfD budget for the 1st allocation round (October 2014) is divided into “pots”. Pot 1 is to be allocated between the established technologies, covering: − Onshore wind (>5 MW) − Solar Photovoltaic (PV) (>5 MW) − Energy from waste with CHP − Hydro (>5 MW and <50 MW) − Landfill gas and sewage gas Pot 2 is to be allocated between the less established technologies, covering: − Offshore wind − Wave − Tidal stream − Advanced conversion technologies − Anaerobic Digestion (AD) − Dedicated biomass with CHP − Geothermal (Budget Notice for CFD Allocation Round 1 of 2 October 2014, from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change). Administrative “strike prices” for the 1st CfD allocation round, taking place in October 2014, are provided in Appendix 1 Final Allocation Framework 2014 and the Budget Notice for CFD Allocation Round 1 of 2 October 2014. In addition, the Draft Budget Notice of the Second Allocation Round on 19 November 2016 declares that in the second allocation round, expected to take place in April 2017, only Pot 2 technologies will be supported. Both administrative “strike prices” are presented in the “Amount section” below.

Wind energy

Eligible: Onshore wind (>5 MW), offshore wind, and Scottish Island onshore wind projects. Scottish Island onshore wind projects are still subject to state aid approval.

CFD Strike Prices (GBP/MWh, 2012 prices)

Technology    

2014/15    

2015/16    

2016/17    

2017/18    

2018/19    

Offshore Wind    

155

155

150

140

140

Onshore Wind (>5 MW)    

95

95

95

90

90

(Appendix 1 Final Allocation Framework 2014 and the Budget Notice for CFD Allocation Round 1 of 2 October 2014).

Concerning the Second Allocation Round, only offshore wind is supported

CFD Strike Prices (GBP/MWh, 2012 prices) 

Technology    

2021/22    

2022/23    

Offshore Wind    

155

155 

(Draft Budget Notice of the Second Allocation Round)

Solar energy

Eligible: Solar PV (>5 MW)

CFD Strike Prices (GBP/MWh, 2012 prices)

 

Technology    

2014/15    

2015/16    

2016/17    

2017/18    

2018/19    

Solar PV

 (>5MW)   

   120

    120

   115

   110

    100

(Appendix 1 Final Allocation Framework 2014 and the Budget Notice for CFD Allocation Round 1 of 2 October 2014).

Geothermal energy

CFD Strike Prices (GBP/MWh, 2012 prices)

Technology    

2014/15    

2015/16    

2016/17    

2017/18    

2018/19    

Offshore Wind    

155

155

150

140

140

Onshore Wind (>5 MW)    

95

95

95

90

90

(Appendix 1 Final Allocation Framework 2014 and the Budget Notice for CFD Allocation Round 1 of 2 October 2014).

Concerning the Second Allocation Round, geothermal energy is eligible. However, no “strike price” has been defined so far. 

Hydro-power

CFD Strike Prices (GBP/MWh, 2012 prices)

Technology    

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

Hydro (>5MW and <50MW)

   

100

100

100

100

100

(Appendix 1 Final Allocation Framework 2014 and the Budget Notice for CFD Allocation Round 1 of 2 October 2014).

Biomass

CFD Strike Prices (GBP/MWh, 2012 prices)

Technology    

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

Biomass Conversion    

105

105

105

105

105

Dedicated  Biomass 

with CHP

125

125

125

125

125

(Appendix 1 Final Allocation Framework 2014 and the Budget Notice for CFD Allocation Round 1 of 2 October 2014).

 

 

Biogas

CFD Strike Prices (GBP/MWh, 2012 prices)

Technology    

2014/15    

2015/16    

2016/17    

2017/18    

2018/19    

Anaerobic Digestion (with or without CHP) (>5MW)    

150

150

150

140

140

Landfill Gas    

55

55

55

55

55

Sewage Gas

75

75

75

75

75

(Appendix 1 Final Allocation Framework 2014 and the Budget Notice for CFD Allocation Round 1 of 2 October 2014).

CFD Strike Prices (GBP/MWh, 2012 prices) 

Technology    

2021/22    

2022/23    

Advanced Conversion Technologies

(with or without  CHP)   

125

115 

Anaerobic Digestion or without CHP)(>5MW)    

140

135

(Draft Budget Notice of the Second Allocation Round)

Hydro-power

CFD Strike Prices (GBP/MWh, 2012 prices)

Technology    

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

Hydro (>5MW and <50MW)

   

100

100

100

100

100

(Appendix 1 Final Allocation Framework 2014 and the Budget Notice for CFD Allocation Round 1 of 2 October 2014).

Biomass

CFD Strike Prices (GBP/MWh, 2012 prices)

Technology    

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

Biomass Conversion    

105

105

105

105

105

Dedicated  Biomass 

with CHP

125

125

125

125

125

(Appendix 1 Final Allocation Framework 2014 and the Budget Notice for CFD Allocation Round 1 of 2 October 2014).

 

 

Tender characteristics

Pre-qualification criteria

Qualification requirements. To be able to participate in the allocation round RES-E generators have to meet the following qualification requirements:

− Provide copies of the relevant planning consents, which enable (1) the relevant CfD unit to be established/ altered and (2) electricity generated by the relevant CfD unit to be supplied to the national transmission/ distribution grid or a private grid (Reg. 23 (2) (a) and (b) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014).

− Provide copies of connection agreements allowing connection to the grid where a direct/ partial connection applies or is to apply to the relevant CfD unit (Reg. 25 (2) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014). Where a direct/ partial connection does not apply or is not to apply to the relevant CfD unit, statement has to be provided by the applicant which states that (1) no such connection is, or is to be, applicable and (2) no agreement to allow such a connection has been obtained or is to be sought during the period in which a CfD may apply to the relevant CfD unit (Reg. 25 (3) (a) and (b) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014).

− Operators of projects of and beyond 300 MW must provide a copy of the Supply Chain Statement issued by the Secretary of State (Reg. 26 CfD Allocation Regulations 2014 in conjunction with Reg. 11 EMR General Regulations 2014).

In case of offshore wind, the applicant must demonstrate that (1) after all phases are completed, the capacity of the CfD unit will not exceed 1500 MW, (2) the 1st phase will represent at least 25% of the total capacity of the CfD, and (3) the 1st phase is expected to be completed by 31 March 2019 latest and the last phase will be completed no later than 2 years after the completion of the 1st phase (Rule 5 Final Allocation Framework 2014). In case of offshore wind, the applicant must demonstrate that (1) after all phases are completed, the capacity of the CfD unit will not exceed 1500 MW, (2) the 1st phase will represent at least 25% of the total capacity of the CfD, and (3) the 1st phase is expected to be completed by 31 March 2019 latest and the last phase will be completed no later than 2 years after the completion of the 1st phase (Rule 5 Final Allocation Framework 2014). The same pre-qualification criteria are applied to the second Allocation Round (Schedule 1 CfD Allocation Regulations 2017).  

Bidding procedure

The tender is in a sealed-bid format (Regulation 11 CfD Allocation Regulations 2014 and CfD Allocation Regulations 2017).

Tender constraints

Budget notice. Prior to each CfD allocation round the Secretary of State must give a “budget notice”, inter alia specifying the overall budget available for the allocation round and the applicable administrative “strike prices” for that allocation round (Reg. 11 (a) and (b) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014 and CfD Allocation Regulations 2017).

Pricing rules

In case of a successful application the plant operators are offered a Contract for Difference at the prevailing administrative strike prices for the respective technology (Rule 9 Final Allocation Framework 2014 and CfD Allocation Regulations 2017).

Frequency of tenders

The first Allocation Round took place in October 2014. While the second Allocation Round is expected to take place in April 2017.

Addressees

Entitled party. RES-E generator who entered into the Contract for Difference with the CfD Counterparty (sec. 6 (1), (2) and 10 EnA 2013).

Obligated party. CfD Counterparty - Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), wholly owned by the UK Government (sec. 6 (1), (2) and 10 EnA 2013; sec. 2 CfD Counterparty Designation Order 2014).

Procedure

Process flow and deadlines

An operator of an eligible RES-E technology, willing to secure a Contract for Difference, has to take part in an allocation round (sec. 13 EnA 2013).

Budget notice. Prior to each CfD allocation round the Secretary of State must give a “budget notice”, inter alia specifying the overall budget available for the allocation round and the applicable administrative “strike prices” for that allocation round (Reg. 11 (a) and (b) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014).

Qualification requirements. To be able to participate in the allocation round RES-E generators have to meet the following qualification requirements:

− Provide copies of the relevant planning consents, which enable (1) the relevant CfD unit to be established/ altered and (2) electricity generated by the relevant CfD unit to be supplied to the national transmission/ distribution grid or a private grid (Reg. 23 (2) (a) and (b) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014).

− Provide copies of connection agreements allowing connection to the grid where a direct/ partial connection applies or is to apply to the relevant CfD unit (Reg. 25 (2) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014). Where a direct/ partial connection does not apply or is not to apply to the relevant CfD unit, statement has to be provided by the applicant which states that (1) no such connection is, or is to be, applicable and (2) no agreement to allow such a connection has been obtained or is to be sought during the period in which a CfD may apply to the relevant CfD unit (Reg. 25 (3) (a) and (b) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014).

− Operators of projects of and beyond 300 MW must provide a copy of the Supply Chain Statement issued by the Secretary of State (Reg. 26 CfD Allocation Regulations 2014 in conjunction with Reg. 11 EMR General Regulations 2014).

− In case of offshore wind, the applicant must demonstrate that (1) after all phases are completed, the capacity of the CfD unit will not exceed 1500 MW, (2) the 1st phase will represent at least 25% of the total capacity of the CfD, and (3) the 1st phase is expected to be completed by 31 March 2019 latest and the last phase will be completed no later than 2 years after the completion of the 1st phase (Rule 5 Final Allocation Framework 2014). Application Determination. Once the deadline for the CfD application expired, an application determination process starts. National Grid will then determine which applications qualify to participate in the allocation process and within 10 working days after the application closing date inform all applicants whether or not respective application is a qualifying application (Reg. 17 and 19 CfD Allocation Regulations 2014). Non–qualifying applicants have the right of application review by National Grid (Reg. 20 (1) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014). Request for review (“review notice”) has to be submitted to National Grid no later than within 5 working days after the date of non-qualification notice (Reg. 20 (2) (a) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014). Where after the non-qualification review an applicant is still not qualified, he has the right of appeal to Ofgem (Reg. 43 CfD Allocation Regulations 2014).

Allocation process. When application determination is completed National Grid starts with the CfD valuation and allocation process covering the following stages:

Valuation of applications. National Grid compares the total value of all qualifying applications for each delivery year with the budgets available for each “pot” as well as minimum (floors) and maximum (caps) capacity limits, if applicable, in order to decide whether a constrained or unconstrained allocation is applicable (Reg. 29 (1) and (2) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014). The valuation must be carried out in accordance with the calculation formula set out in Schedule 2 Final Allocation Framework 2014).

Unconstrained allocation. Where the value of all relevant qualifying applications does not exceed the assigned budget in every delivery year or the maximum/ minimum capacity, all qualifying applications are considered as successful applications and they are offered a Contract for Difference at the prevailing administrative strike prices for the respective technology (Rule 9 Final Allocation Framework 2014).

Constrained allocation (Auction). Where the value of all relevant qualifying applications exceeds the assigned budget or minimum/ maximum capacity, which is specified in the relevant Budget Notice, a constrained allocation is applicable, i.e. National Grid will organise an auction. Where the maximum/ minimum capacity is exceeded, an auction will be organised only for technologies subject to that maximum/ minimum capacity (Rule 9 Final Allocation Framework 2014).

Bid submission. If action is applicable, within 5 working days National Grid will issue a Notice of Auction to all relevant qualifying applicants and invite them to submit their sealed bids (Rule 10.1 Final Allocation Framework 2014). Each bid must contain (1) the applicant’s proposed “strike price” for each MWh of metered output, which cannot exceed the applicable administrative strike price, (2) Target Commissioning Date and start date of the Target Commissioning Window, and (3) the capacity of the CfD unit (Rule 11.1 Final Allocation Framework 2014). Moreover, for each application, 10 flexible bids with different combination of proposed “strike prices”, capacities, and/or Target Commissioning Dates can be submitted. Only three bids may, however, have a Target Commissioning Date in the same delivery year (Rule 11.5 Final Allocation Framework 2014). In addition, in all flexible bids proposed first delivery year must be same or later than in the original application. Also the capacity has to be no greater than the capacity indicated in the original application (Rule 11.6 Final Allocation Framework 2014). Where no sealed bid is submitted by the applicant, National Grid will assign administrative strike price for the respective type of technology and delivery year as specified in the submitted application (Rule 11.8 Final Allocation Framework 2014). CfD Notifications. At the end of the allocation round, National Grid will inform all qualifying applicants whether they are successful or not. In addition, National Grid will notify the CfD Counterparty (LCCC) about the successful applicants, so that LCCC can offer them a Contract for Difference (Reg. 35 (2), 42 (2), (3), and (5) CfD Allocation Regulations 2014). 

Competent authority

Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), National Grid, the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (Ofgem)

Penalties

Amount of the fee

Failing to fulfill the terms and condition of the Contracts of Difference, the CfD Counterparty has the right to terminate the contract under specific conditions (Part 12 CfD Standard Terms and Conditions Version 2).

Mechanism in place to ensure the payment of the fee

Failing to fulfill the terms and condition of the Contracts of Difference, the CfD Counterparty has the right to terminate the contract under specific conditions (Part 12 CfD Standard Terms and Conditions Version 2).

Distribution of costs

Consumers

According to DECC, the cost of CfD scheme is met by consumers via a levy on electricity suppliers.

Consumers

Accord to DECC, the cost of CfD scheme is met by consumers via a levy on electricity suppliers.

Consumers

According to DECC, the cost of CfD scheme is met by consumers via a levy on electricity suppliers.