Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment he has made of the impact on independent generators of introduction of Contract for Difference auctioning before the Offtaker of Last Resort is in place.

The OLR will support independent renewable generators by providing them with a guaranteed route to market and improving their ability to raise project finance.

My officials have worked closely with developers and other stakeholders in working up the Offtaker of Last Resort proposals. The policy design is already at an advanced stage, and the detail of the proposals has been recently consulted on. We are on track to deliver the final policy and introduce enabling regulations ahead of the first allocation of CfDs. CfD applicants will, therefore, have a high degree of clarity about the arrangements for OLR, well in advance of the first auctions.