Germany opens renewables auctions to bidders in other EU countries

The German cabinet has paved the way for projects located in other EU countries to take part in national renewable energy auctions, the Federal Ministry for the Economy and Energy (BMWi) has said in a press release. Five percent of annual bidding capacity, equalling about 300 megawatt, will be allotted to foreign projects, based on a state-aid related agreement between Germany and the European Commission on Germany’s Renewable Energy Act (EEG). Foreign bidders so far could only take part in pilot solar power auctions, in which an installation in Denmark succeeded last year. The amended regulation now also allows for participation in onshore wind power auctions. State secretary Rainer Baake said the move will “help diversify renewables expansion and allow to balance intermittent renewable energy generation by expanding the area”. The agreement is based on the principle of reciprocity and the ability of physical electricity exchange between the countries.

See the press release in German here.

For further information, see the CLEW factsheets High hopes and concerns over onshore wind power auctions and From survey to harvest: How to build a wind farm in Germany.