Regulators of Europe’s biggest energy market have announced their intention to pursue 12.8GW more onshore wind capacity in 2023, and over 650 MW of rooftop solar PV.
Germany’s Federal Network Agency is seeking to spark up interest in both technologies, after auctions this year failed to attract sufficient hoped-for bids.
Only 3.22 GW of new onshore wind permits were taken up in 2022, against Berlin’s award of 4.6 GW of new capacity. Analysts put the deficit down to steep rises in construction costs and constricted supply chains.
2022’s under-expansion has led to the regulator to lift its guidance cap for the coming reverse auction. The BNA now sets its upper limit at Euros 7.35 per MWh for wind and Euros 11.25 per MWh for rooftop solar, levelised over the life of the concessions.
The deadline for submitting bids in both rounds is 1 February. Candidate wind projects must have been technically approved by 4 January.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s energy regulator CRU has awarded its first six licences, permitting offshore wind developers to bid in the nation’s upcoming Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme (ORESS) which targets 2.5GW of capacity. Simultaneous application to the nation’s independent planning authority An Bord Pleanala is also required.
The successful projects include Statkraft’s North Irish Sea array, RWE’s Bray and Kish Banks developments of up to 900MW, SSE Renewables Arklow Bank phase 2, plus the 370 MW Oriel venture developed by the state-controlled ESB with Parkwind NV.
Holders of the consents have until December 2025 to confirm off-takers for their projects.
The regulator published its terms for the licence last month, following earlier financial and technical due diligence checks.
