KIEFER, Mytilineos dominate renewable energy auction in Greece

The latest renewable energy auction in Greece was for both solar and wind power but, according to the local media, developers of photovoltaic plants won contracts for the entire capacity. KIEFER and Mytilineos are said to have scooped up more than 330 MW of the total 350 MW quota.

A record low price of EUR 32.97 per MWh for photovoltaics was achieved in a mixed renewable energy auction organized by the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) of Greece. It compares to EUR 45.84 from July. The domestic news outlets learned there were no wins for wind power plants and that investors in solar power plants would get all the power purchase agreements.

According to unofficial information carried by EnergyPress, kIEFER was successful in its bids for 183 MW in solar power. The regulatory body offered an overall 350 MW. The article adds Mytilineos won 150 MW and that it achieved the said lowest price for a project of just 1 MW.

Lowest price landed significantly higher than in auctions in Albania

The news outlet learned that kIEFER secured 140 MW in its tariffs in a consortium with Lightsource BP, an affiliate of oil giant BP (formerly British Petroleum).

Of note, Voltalia managed to get deals at auctions in neighboring Albania for two solar power plants in the past year with offers of EUR 24.89 and EUR 29.89 per MWh.

Skrekas: Prices got to one third of the costs of producing energy from lignite

Minister of Environment and Energy Kostas Skrekas said the drop in prices was “impressive” and that it confirms the benefits of renewable energy technologies “maturing.” He also attributed the results to strengthened competition.

“With the increase in the penetration of RES in our energy mix, we achieve the supply of clean energy with more competitive prices for consumers,” Skrekas said and stressed the prices reached one third of the cost of the production of energy from lignite, demonstrating the need for reforms toward decarbonization while ensuring the viability of the special renewable energy sources fund – ELAPE.

Average price was EUR 40 per MWh

The auction started at EUR 53.86 per MWh and participants competed with their lowest bids. The average price landed at EUR 40 per MWh, a whopping EUR 9.81 less than last time for photovoltaics, according to the ministry.

Investors participated with projects of more than 1 GW in total. RAE earlier said 36 out of 126 registered endeavors were under 1 MW and that seven had planned capacity below 500 kW.

The Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies (HELAPCO) recently said Greece added 913 MW in peak capacity last year, of which 459 MW was connected to the grid. As of the end of 2020, there were photovoltaic facilities of an overall 3.74 GW in the country or 3.29 GW in the electric power network.

HELAPCO said the remaining 454 MW in 780 systems was ready to be connected to the grid.