Britain opens capacity market scheme to overseas suppliers

(Corrects to show capacity market opened up, not contracts-for-difference scheme))

LONDON, June 29 (Reuters) - Britain's capacity market auction, designed to ensure there is enough electricity during times of high demand, will be open to companies in Europe as well as domestic suppliers, the government said on Monday.

The market auction, which will take place in December, seeks to secure 45.4 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said.

"This year interconnectors are eligible to participate, increasing the competitive pressure on the auction clearing price and helping to ensure that security of supply is delivered at least cost to consumers," DECC said in a statement.

Britain has around 4 GW of capacity available on interconnectors from France, Ireland (Other OTC: IRLD - news) , the Netherlands and Belgium. (Reporting by Susanna Twidale; editing by Nina Chestney and Jason Neely)