The finer details of the CfD remain among the most keenly-awaited areas of UK policy, despite claims by the government that its newly-launched Energy Bill and power market reforms provide renewables investors with the long-term visibility they need.

The CfD mechanism will replace the existing Renewables Obligation support scheme, which is set to end in 2017.

Among the elements specifically welcomed by industry are the government's decision to allocate CfDs on a first-come, first-served basis rather than on a six-monthly allocation round as originally proposed -- a "fairer and more transparent" system, says the UK's Renewable Energy Association.

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