Wind energy was awarded nearly all of the 3 GW available in the Spanish renewable energy auction whose results were announced on 17 May. The auction resulted in contracts for €43/MWh, the maximum discount rate allowed under the Spanish tendering system.
This is the lowest level ever awarded in an onshore wind tender in Europe. The industry welcomes the results of the Spanish auction as a positive development. It comes after a 3-year market standstill triggered by retroactive cuts to the Spanish feed-in tariff in 2013. The paralysis has put at risk the prospect of Spain complying with its 2020 EU renewable energy target. Spain now needs to deploy additional megawatts if it is to meet its EU commitments.