Romania launches renewables auction for 3.5 GW

Following a successful first round, in which developers won government support for projects of 1.53 GW altogether, the Romanian Ministry of Energy issued another call, for 3.47 GW of wind and solar power capacity. The deadline for submissions is July 11.

The Ministry of Energy of Romania issued a public call for the second round of auctions under a mechanism for awarding contracts for difference (CfDs). With EUR 3 billion at hand, via the European Union’s Modernisation Fund, the country is supporting an overall 5 GW of wind and solar power capacity.

Developers can apply by July 11 for the remaining quotas of 2 GW for wind parks and 1.47 GW for photovoltaic facilities. In the first round, 21 participants won the subsidies for 1.1 GW and 432 MW, respectively.

Romania cuts ceiling prices

Ceiling prices for government support are lower this time. Wind power is at EUR 80 per MWh or EUR 2 per MWh under the previous maximum possible bid. The authorities slashed the cap for solar power to EUR 73 per MWh from EUR 78 per MWh.

The contracts for difference would last 15 years. The burden of administrative and electricity transmission expenses is passed on to consumers.

More leeway for large players as they are no longer limited to 25% of quota

Another difference is that the 25% cap on the maximum capacity awarded per applicant was scrapped, the documentation shows. In addition, there is a possibility to award up to 20% more capacity than in the nominal quota. Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja explained that the idea is to avoid the risk of losing a large project with a marginal bid.

He noted that Radramo Power is developing the largest wind power project from the first auction, 245 MW. The Heliowin project, for 125 MW, is the biggest one in the PV segment. It belongs to Israeli company Econergy. Both proposed facilities will launch production by January 28, according to the schedule.

In the first phase, applicants will qualify with their technical offers. The plan is to open financial bids from eligible entities on August 13, and the winners would have until September 9 to sign the contracts. Romania’s transmission system operator Transelectrica has the task to evaluate the applications.