Investors cover only 51.8% of Greek solar power tender

Bidders in the process leading up to the auction scheduled for December 12 by the Regulatory Authority for Energy of Greece sent 44 offers for photovoltaic panels and 16 were received for facilities generating electricity from wind. The solar segment is undersubscribed with projects accounting for only 148.64 MW or 51.8% of the maximum, RAE said.

The ratio in the wind power tender landed at 218.2% or 491 MW. The panel added it aims to issue its decision “in mid-December.” The deadline for competitive bids was November 4. The solar power item was capped at 287 MW for units of up to 20 MW and a price of as much as EUR 66.02 per MWh.

Regulators are considering as much as 225 MW in wind projects of up to 50 MW apiece and they limited the price to EUR 68.25 per MWh. The plan was launched on August 30.

The country aims to lift PV capacity to 6.9 GW by 2030. The latest numbers showed the size reached 2.6 GW, Rokas Law Firm noted. The last auctions were held in July, for 600 MW, when 53.7% or 322 MW was accepted in total. The previous round was organised in April, when there was 638 MW in bids or 106.3%.

The regular tenders began last year after pilot auctions were held in 2016 and 2017. The feed-in tariffs have been lowered in the meantime. The article highlighted the complex procedure for the development of wind farm projects and “the fact that various energy communities have secured priority over private PV projects regarding connectivity and installation.”

Since March, solar power units of up to 500 kW have the option of administratively determined feed-in tariffs. Those above the limit are obliged to be included in tenders. Those launched from 2016 through 2019 receive the average system marginal amount determined at the day-ahead market. Starting next year, the price will be 5% above the average of the three previous auctions in the same segment.

Photovoltaic systems belonging to energy communities of a maximum of 1 MW and stations of up to 500 kW developed by farmers will be in the category for support calculated the same way but with an increase of 10%.