The UK government is seeking views on a possible expansion of the CfD Clean Industry Bonus scheme from next year.

The newly introduced CIB, which applies for the first time to fixed bottom and floating wind projects from this year’s Allocation Round 7 and is an eligibility requirement for entry into the full CfD round, currently offers payments of up to £27m per GW to developers who have pledged to increase the sustainability of supply chains.

This could include investing in new factories in economically disadvantaged areas across the UK or choosing less polluting suppliers to build projects.

Energy department DESNZ said it is now exploring whether to expand these criteria to include skills, job quality and workforce protection related issues.

The potential to incentivise investment in innovations that help drive cost reduction and accelerate deployment is also under consideration.

DESNZ has launched an online questionnaire to help gauge views from within industry ahead of a full public consultation that could follow later this year.

It added: “The Government is in initial stages of policy development and has made no decisions in relation to the likely shape and scope of the CIB in AR8. The questionnaire is designed to develop our understanding of the skills, workforce and innovation landscape in renewables and should not be read as an early indication of possible criteria.”

The questionnaire can be accessed until March 10 at: https://forms.office.com/e/5N16R37Lje

Source: reNews