UK awards record 3.3GW solar PV in latest CfD AR6

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
edf renewables
French renewables developer EDF Renewables’ 400MW Longfield Solar Energy Farm was awarded the highest capacity for PV. Image: EDF Renewables.

The UK Department for Net Zero and Energy Security (DESNZ) latest Contracts for Difference (CfD) has awarded 3.3GW of solar PV.

In total, 93 ground-based solar PV projects were awarded CfDs in the sixth auction round (AR6). This auction round beat a record set in AR4, when 66 solar projects, totaling 2.2GW, gained CfDs.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Delivery of the projects will be spaced out between 2026 and 2028, with 884MW of solar PV contracted for 2026, 509MW in 2027 and 1,895MW in 2028.

Solar PV achieved a strike price of £50.07/MWh, higher than both AR4 (which was £45.99/MWh) and AR5 (which was £47.00/MWh, the maximum allowable price for the auction).

AR6 had the highest-ever budget allocated for a funding round, reaching a total of £1.5 billion after the Labour government announced a £500 million increase on 30 July.

“The CfD system is currently working well for solar. We look forward to future allocation rounds and will work with the Government to deliver the capacity necessary to meet its renewable energy targets. Having greater visibility of future budgets for the years to come would help achieve this,” said Gemma Grimes director of policy and delivery at trade association Solar Energy UK.

French renewables developer EDF Renewables’ Longfield Solar Energy Farm, a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP) with 400MW generational capacity that secured a development consent order (DCO) in June 2023, won 299MW in AR6. Longfield is the first solar development with a capacity over 50MW to secure a CfD and was the highest capacity for a solar PV project awarded in AR6.

According to Cornwall Insight, solar PV’s CfD success results from a strong pipeline of assets across many Great British regions and its competitive edge over onshore wind. Despite this positive result, combining operational and future CfD contracted capacity, total solar PV capacity in Great Britain is expected to reach at least 23.3GW—well below the 50GW target set in Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan.

This article was originally published in full on our sister site, Current±.

Read Next

Premium
September 2, 2025
In August 2025, the final month of Australia’s winter, utility-scale and rooftop solar PV generation in the National Electricity Market (NEM) saw a dramatic 22.5% month-on-month increase to 3,338GWh.
Premium
September 1, 2025
The UK’s new Labour government took power last summer, promising a renewable energy revolution, with solar playing a lead role.
September 1, 2025
Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) hit a record high for the combined utility-scale solar PV and wind share in the electricity mix on 30 August.
September 1, 2025
Meridian Energy and Nova Energy have completed agreements to establish a 50-50 joint venture (JV) to build and operate the 400MW Te Rahui solar PV power plant near Taupō, New Zealand.
August 31, 2025
Renewables developer and independent power producer (IPP) TagEnergy has acquired Australian developer ACE Power, adding 6GW of renewable energy and storage projects to its portfolio.
August 29, 2025
The first half of 2025 has been the strongest year for UK solar energy generation on record, according to a new report think tank Ember.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines