Ministry examining delayed RES auction feasibility for July date

Energy ministry officials are examining a number of factors to determine whether the next RES auction for new wind and solar energy project installations can be held in July.

An original plan to stage this auction in June has already been ruled out. If a date in July is not feasible, then the session will need to be delayed until the year’s final quarter.

Ministry officials would rather avoid such a scenario as they do not want to give investors the impression of wider coronavirus-induced devastation in the sector.

A successful RES auction on April 2 was greeted by the energy ministry as a positive sign for the sector.

The number of mature projects ready to participate in the next auction is a key factor being examined at the ministry.

RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, wants 482 MW of wind energy projects and a further 482 MW for solar energy projects offered this year.

A second factor being considered at the ministry is whether RAE, currently understaffed, can administratively support an auction in July.

Also, the tenures of RAE’s head official, deputy and a board member expire on June 23. This could also complicate the authority’s ability to stage an auction in July.