The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has updated its guidance on the Supply Chain Plan for the allocation round 8 Contract for Difference auction. Below, we look at the Supply Chain Plan requirements for solar and onshore wind projects in excess of 300MW and the process through to approval ahead of the Contract for Difference CfD application.
The Supply Chain Plan
To qualify for a CfD, applicants with solar and onshore projects of 300MW or more are required to submit a technology-specific questionnaire being the Supply Chain Plan together with approval of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Supply Chain Plans have been part of CfD applications from AR7 onwards and whilst not having an impact on an award, they are a requirement of CfDs.
Growth, infrastructure, innovation and skills
With a four-part focus of green growth, infrastructure, innovation and skills, the Supply Chain Plan aims to encourage competitive, productive and efficient supply chains to bring down the costs of low carbon electricity generation all to meet the 2050 net zero targets. The Supply Chain Plan additionally focusses on how a project can contribute to decarbonising the economy throughout its lifetime – from development through to decommissioning, and seeks to open up market access to new and smaller entrants to maintain competition, drive innovation and maximise investment in skills and jobs.
The submission
The application consists of a questionnaire which differs for solar and onshore wind. The questionnaires have five sections – project summary, green growth, infrastructure, innovation and skills. Only the section on project summary is not scored.
To support responses, applicants should gather verifiable evidence submitted as annexures to the questionnaire and clearly referenced in the responses. Evidence should be minimised by using extracts and sections where appropriate. Any evidence or responses that are commercial sensitive for potential DESNZ public disclosure should be stated indicating when that sensitivity will end (CfD contract signing, Milestone Deliver Date, CfD Start Date).Activities proposed by any applicants should be listed in response to one question but if it applies to multiple questions, the applicant should evidence how it contributes to each part in order for it to be scored.
All commitments should be clear, specific, measurable and unambiguous.
Assessment and scoring
The submitted Supply Chain Plan is scored on the commitments that support the objective of the policy assessed on its merits, taking into account particulars of the relevant technology and its supply chain. The scoring is different in each questionnaire and is set out in the questionnaire. Projects scoring 60% or less are unlikely to have their Supply Chain Plan approved. Both questionnaires include supporting guidance and examples.
Points are awarded for quality, ambition (including technology-type and anticipated installed capacity), and quantifiable outcomes or measurable metrics, together with delivery assurance. Strategies and descriptions are scored on explanations and evidence provided.
Activities described should be specific about timelines of commitments made and can reference work on related or previous projects so long as the links are clear (including where the applicant or project formed part of a consortium or cluster). Activities of parent companies and main suppliers may also be included where the activity is specific to the project.
For solar, the total number of points awardable is 414 with 170 for green growth, 48 for infrastructure, 48 for innovation and 148 for skills. Green growth covers questions on supply chain competition, supply chain opportunities, procurement value drivers, and sustainable production and manufacturing, transport, installation and construction procurement. Infrastructure includes questions on monitoring of decarbonisation and sustainable decommissioning. Innovation looks at investment in research and development, and skills seek applicants to demonstrate how they are helping to plug gaps and shortages in skills, promote equality of opportunity, reduce the disability employment gap, and how they are taking action on modern slavery.
For onshore wind, the total number of points awardable is 788 with 223 for green growth, 178 for infrastructure, 210 for innovation and 177 for skills. Green growth deals with supply chain competition, supply chain visibility and fair contracting, procurement value drivers, sustainable procurement and supply chain resilience. Infrastructure covers monitoring of decarbonisation, investments in supply chain infrastructure and planning for sustainable decommissioning. Innovation looks at investment in research and development, investment in new technologies and the use of SMEs. Skills questions how applicants are dealing with skills gaps and shortages, how they support apprenticeships, scholarships and trainees, how they promote equality of opportunity and are reducing the disability employment gap.
Application process and timeline
We await full details of the AR8 timetable, but indicatively here are the steps to application:
| Step | Timing |
| Applicants DESNZ indicating their intention to submit a Supply Chain Plan for assessment. | In the calendar week prior to the Supply Chain Plan Application Window opening. |
| DESNZ provides an online document management platform for uploads. | In readiness for the Supply Chain Plan Application Window. |
| Applicants upload materials to the document management platform and DESNZ may notify applicants of material omissions. | During the Supply Chain Plan Application Window and if further information is required from DESNZ, the applicant has three working days (even if the window has closed). |
| Supply Chain Plan Application Window closes. | One week following the Supply Chain Plan Application Window opening. |
| Applicants receive a confirmation of receipt of submission within. | Within three days of the Supply Chain Plan Application Window closing. |
| Supply Chain Plan assessment begins. | Following the Supply Chain Plan Application Window closing. |
| DESNZ may seek clarifications and further information from applicants who should reply within three working days. | Following the Supply Chain Plan Application Window closing and notification of approval. |
| Supply Chain Plan approval. | Within 55 working days of the Supply Chain Plan Application Window closing. |
| Statement of Approval received. | Following Supply Chain Plan Application approval. |
| Applicant submits Statement of Approval as part of their CfD application which is valid for nine months post-issue (unless the CfD auction timeline is extended). | During the CfD application window. |
Rejection and resubmission
DESNZ will notify applicants of any rejection together with written feedback for the reasons of rejection and remedial steps in a Statement of Rejection. Applicants have an opportunity to submit revised Supply Chain Plans but there is no guarantee that DESNZ will approve a rejected Supply Chain Plan ahead of the of the Allocation Round 8 Application Window opening.
What next?
Projects awarded a CfD will also need to implement the Supply Chain Plan and obtain a Supply Chain Implementation Statement from DESNZ to confirm successful implementation of the plan as a CfD Operational Condition Precedent.
We’ll look at implementation, monitoring and assessment in a future article.
Key Contacts
The content of this article is for general information only. It is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice. If you require any further information in relation to this article please contact the author in the first instance. Law covered as at March 2026.