The Energy Regulatory Office published the results of the last auctions for the sale of electricity from renewable energy sources held this year. Out of 89 submitted bids, the auction was won by 62. The minimum price at which electricity was sold was 139.64 PLN/MWh, with the maximum price reaching 261.07 PLN/MWh.

Approximately 18.5 TWh of electricity from renewable sources, with a total value in excess of PLN 8.6 billion, was allocated for the second round of this year’s auctions. Settlement of the auctions resulted in contracting almost 14 TWh (75 percent) of electricity, worth more than PLN 3.2 billion (37.5 percent).

Out of 375 successful bids, only 14 pertain to installations other than PV. The 14 bids — less than 4 percent — were submitted by wind and hydro power plants,” summarises Rafał Gawin, President of the ERO, commenting on the results of the second round of this year’s auctions. “The results of additional auctions consolidate the expansion of PV projects in the auction scheme, which further demonstrates the shortage of wind projects on the Polish market, caused by adverse legal environment. This confirms the slowdown of onshore wind development, apparent in the recent years.

Competition reduces prices

The total volume of electricity offered by producers (13.9 TWh) comprised more than 99 percent of the volume specified in the auction announcement, while its total value (in excess of PLN 3 billion) amounts to 66 percent of the value specified in the announcement. Such a ratio — observed in the results of all three December auctions — is typical for the auction scheme and proves sound competition that decreases the offered auction prices. The more competition, the lower prices. In accordance with underlying assumptions, the auction scheme ensures competitiveness of entities participating in an auction, which translates into the lowest possible electricity prices, thus affecting the cost of electricity offered to final customers.

This year, the reference price in the bundle was 320 PLN/MWh for PV and 250 PLN/MWh for wind. The minimum price at which electricity was sold was 139.64 PLN/MWh for onshore wind farms and 207.85 PLN/MWh for PV.

Exact results of the auction are available at the ERO website.