The application window for Allocation Round 8 (AR8) of the UK government’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme has opened. More than 17 GW of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity is eligible to compete for a CfD contract under Pot 3. A maximum strike price of GBP113/MWh (EUR132/MWh) has been established after the UK government decided to maintain the bid ceilings applied during AR7 for key technologies.
In parallel, more than 500 MW of floating offshore wind capacity can enter Pot 4, where it will compete alongside the newly introduced other deepwater offshore wind (ODOW) category, with a maximum strike price of GBP271/MWh (EUR318/MWh).
Developers have until the end of the application period, currently set for 7 August 2026, to submit eligible projects for participation in the auction. The UK government will confirm the auction budgets once all applications have been assessed. Results are expected to be announced between 27 November 2026 at the earliest and 17 February 2027 at the latest, depending on the timeline followed for the round.
The previous auction round, AR7, launched at the beginning of 2026, awarded around 14.7 GW of new renewable energy capacity, making it the largest CfD round delivered to date. The allocated capacity mainly consisted of offshore wind (8.4GW) and solar (4.9 GW), followed by onshore wind (1.3 GW) and tidal energy (20.9 MW).
According to its “Clean Power 2030” document, the UK aims to reach 43-50 GW of offshore wind capacity, 27-29 GW of onshore wind capacity, and 45-47 GW of solar capacity by 2030.
Do you want to become an expert on renewable energies auctions?
Discover our very detailed and regularly updated RES auctions database with worldwide coverage and a technical focus backed by academic research.
With our renewable energies auctions service you will be able to monitor auctions at a global level. Its (expanding) scope notably includes all major G20 countries and offers an especially fine tracking on Europe and South America.