https://www.pv-magazine.com/2019/01/23/germanys-new-4-gw-solar-tenders-are-a-huge-opportunity/
“Germany’s new 4 GW solar tenders are a huge opportunity”
Germany’s new energy law includes tenders for large-scale PV that could
bring around 4 GW of new capacity online. Carsten Körnig, MD of the
German Solar Association, told pv magazine the tenders could generate
turnover of up to €4.5 billion for EPC contractors.
January 23, 2019 Sandra Enkhardt
pv magazine: In Germany, the government recently launched a series of
additional special tenders for PV projects that exceed 750 kW in size
and which add up to 4 GW of total capacity. Will the German market
become interesting again?
Carsten Körnig: Absolutely! We are going back to the gigawatt range.
Overall, in addition to the existing regular tendered capacities, a
further 4 GW will be allocated by 2021. This is a great opportunity for
the companies that have been active in Germany to date, as well as for
newcomers. Germany offers reliable framework conditions for investors
and an attractive outlook.
What, specifically, do you mean by an attractive outlook?
The German Solar Association – BSW-Solar – has campaigned heavily for
the special tenders, as solar parks can generate electricity very
cheaply and, in addition to photovoltaic roof systems, are an essential
element in achieving Germany’s climate goals. This is a considerable
achievement for the companies active in this market segment because it
will generate additional sales potential in the next three years in the
range of €3.5 billion to €4.5 billion.
The special tenders are currently limited to 2021. How big is the risk
that the market will then shrink, as it did after 2013?
The situation today is completely different: solar power has become very
cheap and it is now a common idea that we must switch to clean energy
production if Germany wants to achieve its own climate commitments. But
[the energy transition] is not guaranteed! Every day we experience which
forces are still being applied against renewable energies. That’s why
BSW-Solar is so important. Currently, the members of our working group
on large-scale solar – PV-Großkraftwerke – are increasing their efforts
to understand how the temporary special tenders can be maintained. We
invite all national and international actors to participate and to work
towards this common goal.
The framework conditions for solar parks in Germany have changed
considerably compared to the boom years we saw from 2010 to 2013. What
should companies pay attention to when they want to re-enter the German
market?
Above all, it is important to understand the auction rules well and to
adapt your own business strategy accordingly. On which areas may solar
parks be built? Which capacity restrictions are there? How can I switch
between the fixed premium tariff over the market price and other forms
of selling power? These and other questions will be discussed on
February 13, in a one-hour English language webinar.
What trends do you see in Germany for utility-scale PV projects?
As an industrialized country, Germany will increasingly rely on large
photovoltaic power plants for a secure and cost-effective power supply.
It is not just about generating kWh, but also increasingly about
renewable combined cycle power plants and system services. In this way,
new synergies, sources of revenue and business models will be associated
in the future. Many ideas and approaches have just outgrown the research
and development stage. With the right framework for the planned
innovation tenders, new business models can emerge.