OMNI Features｜U.K. Gov't Gearing Up to Launch Seventh CfD Allocation Round．Climate Change Made European Heatwave Up To 4 Deg C Hotter, Study Shows．Japan Launches A Climate Change Monitoring Satellite On Mainstay H2A Rocket's Last Flight

｜U.K. Gov't Gearing Up to Launch Seventh CfD Allocation Round
The U.K. government has confirmed key dates for Allocation Round 7 (AR7) of its Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, with a focus on offshore wind. Registration is now open and expected to close by 27 August, ahead of the auction window set between 7 to 27 August 2025. This round encompasses both fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind projects, which will follow a distinct timeline from other renewable technologies.

Following the auction and any potential appeals, successful offshore wind developers are expected to sign CfD contracts between January and March 2026, with results depending on non-qualifying applicants requesting a Tier 1 review and/or Tier 2 appeal.

｜Climate Change Made European Heatwave Up To 4 Deg C Hotter, Study Shows
Human-caused climate change made the recent European heatwave up to 4 deg C hotter in many cities, scientists said on July 9, pushing temperatures into deadly territory for thousands of vulnerable people. This likely led to far more heat-related deaths, concluded a rapid study by over a dozen researchers from 5 European institutions.

The analysis looked at 12 cities in Europe between June 23 and July 2 as an early summer heatwave drove temperatures well above 40 deg C in some parts, triggering health warnings. The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service on July 9 said it was the hottest June on record in western Europe, where some schools and tourist sites were shuttered as the mercury soared.

To assess what role climate change played, scientists compared how intense a similar heatwave would have been in a world that had not warmed due to burning masses of fossil fuels. Using historical weather data, they concluded the heatwave "would have been 2 deg C to 4 deg C cooler" without human-induced climate change in all but one of the 12 cities studied. This extra heat greatly elevated the health risk in these cities, which have a combined population of more than 30 million and include major capitals Paris, London, Rome and Madrid.

｜Japan Launches A Climate Change Monitoring Satellite On Mainstay H2A Rocket's Last Flight
On 29 June, Japan has successfully launched its climate monitoring satellite, GOSAT-GW, aboard the H-2A rocket, marking the rocket's final mission before being replaced by the more cost-efficient H3 model. The satellite, aimed at monitoring greenhouse gases and water cycles, will begin sharing high-resolution environmental data—such as sea surface temperature and precipitation—with international partners, including Australia and the U.S.

With the H-2A's retirement, Japan is shifting focus to the H3 and Epsilon rocket series to strengthen its position in the global satellite launch market. These developments could enhance environmental monitoring and offshore wind planning, especially in regions like Australia, which rely heavily on satellite data to support renewable energy deployment and climate strategy.

Reference: Offshorewind.biz｜Strait Times｜AP News