The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has added an extra £25 million funding for less established technologies under the Contracts for Difference scheme.
The government claims that the move is in response to higher than anticipated demand for the CfD scheme. The available funding pot for less established technologies now stands at £260 million.
Commenting on the funding boost, energy and climate change secretary Ed Davey said: “We are transforming the UK’s energy sector, dealing with a legacy of underinvestment to build a new generation of clean, secure power supplies that reduce our reliance on volatile foreign markets.
“The high demand for contracts shows that we’re one of the top places for renewables investment, and the best place in the world for investing in offshore wind.
“Renewable electricity generation and investment have both more than doubled since 2010. We attracted a record breaking £10 billion worth of investment in 2014 and by making projects compete for support, we’re ensuring consumers get the best possible deal as well as a secure and clean power sector.”
The government says that the increased funding will still keep the scheme inside the levy control framework budget. Looking forward, the government has reiterated that it will not publish the budget for next year’s auction until autumn, but has stood by its plans to add £50 million more funding for established technologies.
The move follows a previous £95 million boost to the CfD budget in October 2015, with established technologies getting an extra £15 million and less established receiving an £80 million boost.
The sealed bid auction process for the CfD will begin on 29 January.