Czech Republic lacks wind power projects despite generous support

The Czech Republic has held its third-ever auction for renewable energy support. So far, the auctions have attracted only lukewarm interest from investors due to a lack of ready-to-build projects. The third auction was not fully subscribed either, despite relatively high support levels guaranteed through contracts for difference.

Renewable energy auctions are getting off to a very slow start in the Czech Republic. This is also evidenced by the results of the third auction, in which investors competed for operating support for wind power plants, small hydropower plants and the modernisation of biogas-fired power plants.

For larger projects, auctions are the only opportunity to obtain operating support. Under European Union rules, operating support for facilities larger than 1 MW (or 6 MW, or six wind power units) must be awarded through a competitive selection procedure, i.e. an auction.

A total of 4 bids submitted in the third auction

The Ministry of Industry and Trade received a total of 4 bids in the third auction, all of which met the auction conditions. Three bids were submitted in the wind power plant category, while one bid was submitted in the auction intended for small hydropower plants.