A study prepared by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, concerning new RES installations, is expected to be delivered to the energy ministry within the next few days.

It includes an analysis on RES technologies and recommendations for RES sub-categories not requiring capacity-related auctions.

As was made apparent at a recent RAE event, the authority believes that auction procedures are needed for wind and solar energy installations. A pilot auction was staged last December. In its study, RAE will provide an analysis as to why the auction procedure is not considered necessary for all other RES technologies.

According to energypress sources, the RAE study includes a proposal to stage separate auctions for large-scale and smaller wind-energy park projects. The dividing line separating the two categories may possibly be set at 10 MW.

Separate auctions will also be proposed for “mature” and “non-mature” projects. Auctions for “non-mature”, or less advanced investment plans, will concern prospective wind-energy installations in regions where electricity capacity is available but license applications made are insufficient. The two sides of the underwater cable connection to link the mainland with the Cyclades is a case in point.

Thoughts of abolishing the need for auctions concerning wind-energy projects of less than 6 MW appear to have changed following a public consultation procedure on the issue. However, this limit may be reduced to 3 MW.

According to RES law, wind-energy projects of up to 3 MW are compensated through feed-in tariffs. An amendment tabled by the energy minister Giorgos Stathakis at the end of 2016 specifies that wind-energy projects or up to 6 MW will not take part in auctions but, on the contrary, will receive feed-in premiums of 98 euros per MWh.