Contracts-for-Difference (CfD) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
This course is part of a European-funded project and is reserved exclusively for selected participants of the Energy Regulation Academy (EnRA). For information on other courses and opportunities at the FSR, please contact fsr.secretariat@eui.eu.
Master the EU’s policy tools to shape tomorrow’s energy systems
As the EU accelerates the transition towards a clean, secure and affordable energy system, Member States face growing responsibilities in implementing complex electricity market reforms. Contracts for Difference (CfDs) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are emerging as central instruments to mobilise renewable energy investment, manage market risks and support the deployment of clean technologies. But how should the mechanisms be designed to balance investment certainty, market integration, and affordability?
This course, offered by the Energy Regulation Academy (EnRA), provides participants with a practical and policy-oriented understanding of the EU’s evolving energy regulation. Through expert-led sessions, participants will explore the key design features of CfDs and PPAs. The programme plays a strong emphasis on practical application and peer exchange. Participants will engage with real-world reform experiences, discuss implementation challenges with leading experts, and collaborate with peers and national practitioners during interactive workshops.
Designed for representatives of regulatory authorities, ministries, and public institutions, this course equips participants with the analytical tools and policy insights needed to implement energy reforms at the national level.
In collaboration with:
This course will provide an in-depth overview of the evolving regulatory framework supporting renewable energy investment in the EU, with a particular focus on Contracts for Difference (CfDs) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
The course will explore the main types and design features of CfDs, as well as the implications of different design choices for risk allocation, incentive alignment, implementation feasibility, and cross-border market integration. It will also cover the EU Electricity Market Design reforms and the European Commission’s guidance on CfDs.
The section on PPAs will explore how to develop PPA markets that enable long-term hedging, covering topics such as standardisation, aggregation, platforms, and the removal of regulatory barriers, among others. It will also address PPA design to achieve specific policy objectives, including supporting the development of clean technologies.
The course will conclude with collaborative workshops aimed at strengthening peer-to-peer learning and encouraging exchanges between participants, instructors, and invited national experts.
The course follows a blended learning approach, combining online preparatory sessions with residential training and a final online module to consolidate learning outcomes and reflect on key insights.
- 7 September 2026, 10:00-11:00 | Online
Welcome and introduction - 11 September 2026, 10:30-15:30 | Online
Live sessions classes - 16-18 September 2026 | In-person
Residential module in Florence - 28 September 2026, 10:00-12:00 | Online
Closing module
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
- Distinguish between different types and design features of CfDs and PPAs
- Evaluate the advantages, disadvantages, and trade-offs of different CfD and PPA designs in relation to risk allocation, market integration, and investment incentives.
- Assess how CfDs and PPAs can contribute to the implementation of national energy transition objectives and EU electricity market reforms.
- Apply key concepts and evaluation criteria to real-world national reforms and renewable energy support schemes.
- Formulate informed recommendations on the design and implementation of CfDs and PPAs to support renewable energy investments and clean technology deployment.
This course is designed for professionals involved in the implementation of EU electricity legislation and reforms. It is tailored to participants who contribute to policy design, regulatory decision-making, or the practical implementation of energy sector reforms at national level. Participation is reserved for members of the Energy Regulation Academy (EnRA) only.
The training is intended for:
- Professionals working directly on electricity regulation and energy policy within their organisations
- Representatives from national regulatory authorities, ministries, and public institutions
- Experts and practitioners involved in advancing regulatory reforms across Member States
The course is open to participants with relevant professional experience in the field.
The training is delivered in English. Please note that only a limited number of participants will be admitted to ensure a high-quality learning experience.
The course activities combine a range of interactive and self-paced learning components:
- Live online sessions, including an intake module, live classes, and a final closing session
- Residential training in Florence, focusing on applied learning, peer exchange, and case-based discussions
- Learning Management System (LMS): Participants will also be able to engage with peers and experts through the Academy’s learning management system, which will support discussion, knowledge exchange, and continued collaboration after the residential training.
- Self-paced activities: Readings, video lectures, forum discussions to reinforce key learning outcomes
- Self-assessment quizzes: designed to help participants assess their understanding of key concepts and support the Academy’s learning and evaluation framework.
- A final knowledge consolidation activity bringing together key insights and participant contributions developed throughout the course
Participants will have access to the EnRA AI Knowledge Tool throughout the course. The tool provides guided access to regulatory documents, training materials, technical briefs, and selected EU legislation. Participants will be introduced to the tool during the course and encouraged to use it to explore concepts, navigate regulatory frameworks, and support their learning and reform activities.
Participants attending the training course will be awarded a Certificate of Participation.
