CfD AR7 and AR7a: What Went Right, What Went Wrong, and What’s Next

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s hard to ignore just how much the energy landscape has shifted, but the real question is: what comes next?

Explore the cost benefits that BtM generation and storage can provide for corporate end users through avoided costs, alongside the impacts from commercial and ownership structures for these assets.

This guide will break down how the Capacity Market works, who can participate, and what you need to know to navigate its key processes.

Cornwall Insight experts Tim Dixon, Lucy Dolton, and Robin Clarke discuss the recently published indicative timeline for the upcoming Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 7 auction.

As the UK transitions to net zero the capacity of renewable generation and storage connected to the grid will need to significantly increase from the current volumes.

We are excited to welcome James Babben from RWE. Building on our recent discussion about the Allocation Round 6 results of the Contracts for Difference scheme, James shares his expert insights as a renewable power developer.

Delve into the Allocation Round 6 results of the Contracts for Difference scheme, how they impact national decarbonisation and net zero targets and what we can expect from future Allocation Rounds

The government has released the budget and reference prices, along with the auction parameters, for the upcoming Contract for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 6 (AR6)

We believe learning curves or rates have two important functions in the GB energy market: informing bids in subsidy auctions and fundamental inputs into long-term capacity expansion models.

This year saw a return to relative calmness after the energy shocks of last year, while governments are playing an increasing role as the rate of new renewable generation lags. Spot pricing was subdued compared to last year, with no significant unexpected outages that caused sustained price spikes. Higher levels of renewable generation, including burgeoning \[…\]

In our recent insight paper Race to net zero: Rebuilding investor confidence in the UK”, published on 30 November, we discuss how increased macroeconomic pressures and rising international competition for capital have impacted the UK’s ability to secure investment in renewables and maintain momentum towards net zero. We also investigate both short- and long-term changes \[…\]

Understanding policy impact on the cost to the consumers of renewable development in Northern Ireland Cornwall Insight Ireland’s report for RenewableNI finds that appropriate support for renewable generation in Northern Ireland can be expected to reduce overall cost to consumer.

Increased macroeconomic pressures and rising international competition have left the UK at risk of falling behind in the race to attract investment in the net zero transition. In this paper, we examine these headwinds alongside a discussion of the short and long-term changes to the Contracts for Difference scheme

From Cornwall Insight Australia’s NEM Market Analysis report With over 700 GWh of rooftop PV added to the NEM since October last year, records were again set in NEM minimum demands along with a high instantaneous renewable penetration within the grid of 71.4%. Once again, the month’s main story was negatively priced intervals and the \[…\]

From Cornwall Insight Australia’s Energy Market Alerts service Energy laws have now been amended to incorporate an emissions reduction objective alongside the other objectives. The list of targets that the market bodies will need to consider is listed in a separately published Targets Statement. The targets currently listed cover both Federal and state governments

The Federal Government has legislated emissions reductions of 43% below 2005 levels by 2030\. Sourcing electricity from renewable technologies is fundamental to meeting this, with a much-publicised target of 82% renewables in the grid by 2030

Penetration of renewables continues to dominate the energy news, as we saw renewables as a proportion of total demand reach new heights this week to a new record of \~70% penetration. In light of this continuing march toward a renewable-dominated grid

Across the mainland states in the NEM, South Australia (SA) relies heavily on variable renewable energy (VRE) resources. SA is an excellent subject to test the premise What if the wind doesn’t blow, and the sun doesn’t shine”? Negative spot prices persist in South Australia due to an abundant supply from renewable generation

New analysis from Cornwall Insight and Smart Energy GB has revealed the substantial cost-saving potential of household flexible electricity initiatives such as time-of-use tariffs, smart meters, solar PV, and batteries. The has data revealed national wholesale and system electricity costs could be cut by an annual £4.6bn in 2030 and £14.1 billion in 2040

Soaring inflation and interest rates\*, combined with supply chain issues and labour shortages, have pushed up the cost of capital and increased the costs needed to finance renewable projects. With the latest round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme now ongoing

The Irish electricity sector has undergone significant change in recent years. The Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM) arrangements introduced in 2018 fundamentally transformed the market framework to maximise competition, facilitate electricity wholesale trading, and incentivise the development of low-carbon generation sources

Soaring inflation and interest rates, combined with supply chain issues and labour shortages, have pushed up the cost of capital and increased the costs needed to finance renewable projects. With the latest round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme set to open to applications this month many in the industry are concerned

Our latest forecasts for the Default Tariff Cap (price cap) have shown energy bill predictions for a typical household have fallen to £3,208 from April