A few weeks ago, the French government published the results of its sixth onshore photovoltaic energy auction, organized under the Multiannual Energy Program (PPE2). A total of 948.3 MW was awarded across 120 projects, surpassing the initial target of 925 MW and reflecting a growing sector. Jérémy Simon, Deputy General Delegate of the Renewable Energies Syndicate (SER), described the oversubscription as a “positive signal.”
The cumulative capacity selected in this auction reached 3,589.4 MWp, out of a total of 5,555.8 MWp of cumulative capacity selected under the PPE2 (2021–2026). A total of 6 GW of solar capacity, including both ground-mounted and rooftop installations, has been awarded.
“This contributes to meeting PPE2 goals, but annual supported capacity will need to double to achieve the objectives of PPE3, currently under consultation,” Simon stated in an interview with Energía Estratégica España. He emphasized that recent regulations on agrivoltaics should lead to changes in auction conditions to ensure these projects are properly integrated into support mechanisms.
One highlight of this auction was the average price of €79.28/MWh, marking a reduction of €2.60/MWh compared to the fifth auction in March, which awarded 911.5 MW at €81.90/MWh.
This price drop is attributed to significant reductions in photovoltaic module costs, driven largely by increased supply, mainly from Asia. Simon also pointed out decreases in raw material and transportation costs as contributing factors.
The awarded projects ranged in size from small installations of 500 kW to large solar farms exceeding 100 MW. Notably, over 50% of the projects have capacities below 5 MW, reflecting a trend toward more distributed developments. Simon linked the reduction in average project size to regulatory constraints and the scarcity of suitable land.
Agrivoltaic Regulation: Opportunities and Challenges
Recent agrivoltaic regulations are shaping up as a key determinant for the sector’s future. Simon stressed the importance of adapting auction terms to effectively integrate such projects into support mechanisms. “The government is already working on a new consultation to address this issue,” he confirmed.
An analysis of the awarded projects reveals a predominance of installations on urbanized land, categorized as “Case 3,” which accounts for 57% of the awarded capacity. This reflects the government’s decision to prioritize projects on already urbanized land with fewer land-use conflicts.
“As the potential of these sites becomes more limited, it is essential to develop other areas with greater land potential,” Simon added. However, he acknowledged that the application of Zero Net Artificialization regulations restricts the potential for projects on natural and forested land. As a result, developers will need to rely on agrivoltaic installations or sites identified in framework documents published by agricultural chambers to continue ground-mounted solar developments.
Next Auction
The next auction is scheduled for late December 2024, with an estimated target of 925 MW. Simon anticipates strong subscription rates for the upcoming round, reinforcing the growth of the agrivoltaic sector.
Auction Results
In this sixth PPE2 onshore photovoltaic auction, the largest awarded project was the “Centrale Solaire de Matignicourt” solar park, with a capacity of 35 MW, located in the Grand-Est region and promoted by a company of the same name.
Additionally, five projects of 29 MW each stood out: two in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, two in Centre-Val de Loire, and one in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. These were promoted by ARKOLIA, CS POUY NÉGUÉ, CPENR, SAS QUERCUS, and Centrale Solaire Saint-Just.
The top company in terms of awarded capacity was NEOEN, which secured 165 MW from ten plants across various regions. Second place went to Urbasolar, with 112 MW across 17 parks. TotalEnergies also stood out, receiving awards for 68 MW across nine projects under the “CS” name.
0 comentarios