Why Choose Auctions?

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Renewable Energy Auctions Versus Other Procurement Mechanisms

Renewable energy auctions allow policymakers to procure clean energy at competitive prices by assisting in price discovery and reducing windfall profits for power producers.

An auction is a competitive process for policymakers to procure electricity generated by renewable energy. Policymakers can hold auctions regardless of market maturity and institutional capacities and can choose different entities to conduct auctions. An auctioneer can be an energy regulator, electricity market operator, or dedicated agency. The auctioneer issues a tender with clear rules in an online or other public platform, which ensures a transparent and competitive procurement process.

When used strategically, auctions can facilitate competitive renewable energy price setting, lower costs, expand access to affordable and sustainable energy, and increase transparency of energy procurement.

Auctions, negotiated procurements, and administrative feed-in mechanisms are the three most prevalent price-setting methods for procuring electricity from renewable energy.

Auctions are the emerging best practice and are achieving historically low prices globally while promoting private investment in renewable energy for sustainable development gains. Compared to negotiated procurement, auctions allow for faster project execution and increase transparency in the selection process. Unlike administrative feed-in mechanisms, auctions respond quickly to changing market prices.

About Renewable Energy Procurement Options  

Auctions are a competitive process for procuring electricity generated by renewable energy. The government sets the auction volume demanded, bidders then offer a price at which they are willing to build the project, and the government ranks the bids. Ranked bids are awarded until the auction volume is met. Therefore, auctions organize the access to off-take contracts and determine the level of the price paid per unit of renewable energy electricity or capacity. There is no negotiation after the bidding concludes.

Negotiated procurements employ competitive bidding and, ideally, limit participation to serious bidders via the use of qualification criteria. A negotiated procurement includes a post-bidding negotiation stage between buyer and seller in which changes in project size and price are possible.

Feed-in mechanisms, such as feed-in tariffs and feed-in premiums, can be used to pay for renewable electricity. Under feed-in tariffs, power producers receive a fixed payment for each unit of electricity generated, independent of the electricity market price. Under a feed-in premium, a bonus is paid, in addition to the market proceeds, per unit of electricity generated.

Happy woman relaxing with wind generators turbines beautiful sunset background.
Happy woman relaxing with wind generators turbines beautiful sunset background in Khao Kho mountain, Petchabun, Thailand.
© theeraphong / Adobe Stock

Renewable energy auctions have emerged as the best practice for procuring least-cost energy. This competitive, transparent process helps countries meet their energy goals and attract private investment on their journey to self-reliance.

In today’s rapidly evolving renewable energy marketplace, it can be challenging to keep track of current best practices in renewable energy policy, innovations, and market trends. USAID developed the Renewable Energy Auction Toolkit to help international development professionals, energy ministries, utilities, policymakers, and regulators to design and successfully implement energy auctions that expand access to affordable and sustainable clean energy.

The proliferation of renewable energy resources requires comprehensive changes to power infrastructure, market design and business models. USAID, through its Scaling Up Renewable Energy (SURE) project, helps partner countries plan, procure, and integrate renewable energy. USAID’s efforts enhance global energy security; promote private sector investment through transparent, competitive procurement; and open paths to self-reliance by empowering partner countries to control their own economic and social development.

Date 
Thursday, July 2, 2020 - 11:45am