The French Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition has selected solar PV to award the entire 200 MW capacity it tendered in a joint solar/onshore wind tender in December 2017 (see France To Tender 2.45 GW PV Annually). In fact, the winning capacity of PV projects added up to 202.5 MW.
Calling PV technology more competitive than wind energy projects, the ministry shared the average winning tariff price was determined to be €54.94 ($61.96) per MWh. All these projects were to have a capacity range of 5 MW and 18 MW. Maximum capacity of 52 MW will be developed in Centre-Val de Loire, followed by Nouvelle Aquitaine bagging 46.5 MW, Occitanie with 26.5 MW, among others. The ministry has shared details of the winners of this tender on its website.
The government had decided to hold a technology neutral tender pitting wind against solar PV at the behest of the European Commission, which has encouraged EU member states to hold such tenders. The aim is to reduce costs, intensify competition and further reduction in public subsidies (see French Tech Neutral Solar/Wind Tender).
In other EU countries, where technology neutral solar/wind tenders were held solar was winning as well, such in Spain and Germany (see All For Solar, None For Wind In Germany Tender)
France is planning to tender 300 MW PV project in Haut-Rhin before the end of 2018 to cover up for the loss from soon to be closed 1.6 GW Fessenheim Nuclear Power Plant (see France Mulling 300 MW PV Tender).
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