RES interest high in September, applications total 2.1 GW

Investor interest for the development of new RES units, especially solar energy projects, as well as wind energy farms, remained high in September.

A total of 114 applications representing an overall capacity of 2,093 MW were submitted to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, during the month.

Solar energy project applications represent the bulk of this interest, numbering 82 for a capacity at 1,642 MW, compared to 406 MW for wind energy applications.

A smaller number of applications concerning small-scale hydropower projects totaling 10 MW were also submitted in September. The authority also received one application for a 2-MW biomass unit, three applications for hybrid projects on Lesvos totaling 14 MW, and one bid for a 20-MW telethermal project in Megalopoli.

Cantreva led the way with solar energy project applications totaling 413 MW. Terna Energy submitted solar project applications representing an overall capacity of approximately 372 MW.

Sizeable moves were also made by Portugal’s EDPR, submitting 185 MW in solar energy project applications and 90 MW for wind energy installations, as well as Germany’s ABO, which applied for solar energy projects totaling 107 MW.

Other noteworthy applications were forwarded by Maximus Terra (106 MW, solar), SPDGR (95 MW, solar), Iliothema (70 MW, solar) and Erimia (114 MW, wind).

 

 

RES prices driven considerably lower at yesterday’s auction

Intense bidding competition pushed prices considerably lower at yesterday’s descending-price RES auctions held by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, offering prices for solar and wind-energy project output.

Three auctions were staged for three sub-categories – small-scale photovoltaic installations of less than one MW; larger-scale PV installations measuring between one and 20 MW; and wind energy installations of between 3 and 50 MW.

The lowest price at the wind energy auction, whose starting price was set at 90 euros per MWh, reached 68 euros per MWh, while the highest price achieved for payment of RES energy production was close to 72 euros per MWh, energypress sources informed.

PPC Renewables, Iberdrola Rokas, Vendavel and a newly arrived foreign firm, which submitted the wind energy sub-category’s lowest bid, were among the participants who secured remuneration prices for output at projects.

At the auction for larger-scale PV installations, whose starting price was set at 80 euros per MWh, the smallest bid reached a level of 63 euros per MWh and the biggest was 71 euros per MWh. Germany’s ABO, whose bids were extremely aggressive, EYDAP, Biokarpet and Dimokritios were among the participants in this category.

Prices in the auction for small-scale PV installations, whose starting price was set at 85 euros, reached as low as 76 euros per MWh.

The top prices reached at yesterday’s three auctions will be used to shape the starting prices of the next RES auction.

Considerable delays that affected the online bidding system towards the end of the session, especially in the auction concerning small-scale PV installations, led to protests by participants who were not able to submit improved bids on time.

A RAE term requiring auction participation registrations to represent amounts exceeding the amounts to be auctioned by at least 75 percent was a key factor behind the intense bidding at yesterday’s session. The objective was to drive down prices for renewable energy output in order to burden consumers as least as possible.

Yesterday’s auction proves that it is realistic to limit the environmental footprint without incurring significant energy cost increases, energy minister Giorgos Stathakis commented following the session.