Spain planning 3-GW wind, solar auction before year-end - report

The Spanish government is preparing a new renewable energy auction of around 3 GW before year-end, El Economista reveals, with a big portion to be reserved for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects.

It is expected that solar and wind developers will compete for 2 GW and 1 GW, respectively , said the paper citing informed sources. There will be some megawatts for other technologies too.

According to the report, the terms will be more or less the same as in the previous auction, which awarded contracts to 500 MW of wind and 200 MW of biomass. Sector associations, however, are calling for a pre-qualification stage to check the financial and technical viability of the bids, so as to be sure developers will be able to deliver on projects.

The industry also needs a timetable for future auctions and system needs and information on the progress of existing projects, El Economista said.

Spain’s previous 500-MW wind auction resulted in contracts at zero premium over the market price. The Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) explained in January that the first wind auction held by the government did not reflect the reality of the sector as it was significantly oversubscribed and bids were too low.

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