The Portuguese government plans to hold the much awaited 700 MW solar power auction on June 8, 2020, the European country's Environment Minister Joao Matos Fernandes said while speaking with Reuters. The second solar energy auction was initially planned for April 2020, but had to be pushed due to the country facing impacts of COVID-19 pandemic (see COVID-19: Renewable Energy Auctions Face The Heat).
Earlier the government had said the auction may be scheduled for June 2020, but there was no specific date given. Now, June 8, 2020 is when the auction is finally scheduled to take place, as per Reuters. Winners will be revealed by August end. Reuters further added that Portugal will auction up to 16 potential solar power plant sites. These will be located in the southern Algarve and Alentejo regions.
In the first solar auction in the country concluded in August 2019, Portugal awarded 1.15 GW in total attracting Europe's lowest solar bid so far – Akuo Energy of France bid €14.76 per MWh for a 150 MW project.
Fernandes also affirmed Portugal to move forward with its new hydrogen plant to be powered by solar power. The government expects up to €5 billion ($5.43 billion) in private investment. It will be built near the port of Sines and has attracted the attention of utility EDP and Galp Energia, both of which run a coal power plant and an oil refinery nearby, respectively. The minister had earlier this year shared plans to build a renewable hydrogen plant in Sines to be powered by energy produced from a 1 GW solar power plant (see Portugal Aims For 1 GW Solar To Produce Hydrogen).
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