France Launching 120 MW Solar Tender
The country of France will soon be launching a 120 megawatt (MW) solar energy tender, according to recent reports.
This 120 MW solar tender will be split amongst three batches of 40 MW each — with each batch open for 4 months each, following consultation between the governing body and the industry.
The first 4-month round is currently set to begin on May 22, 2015 — with the last 4-month round currently due to close on May 20, 2016. These rounds are open for solar installations between 100 kilowatts (kW) and 250 kW in size.
Reportedly, the selection process will also take into account the various “carbon reduction potentials” of the candidate projects. The methodology for assessing carbon impact is being revised as a result of earlier feedback from those in the solar industry.
The deadline for the first round of bids is currently set as September 21, 2015.
This new solar tender follows on the heels of a 400 MW one launched in November 2014 (for projects of 250 kW or larger in size).
Considering that France is currently aiming to get at least 23% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by the year 2020, the new solar tender was more or less expected — the country will likely need a good deal of further governmental support in order to achieve its renewables goal, however — barring large drops in the costs associated with renewables, that is.
What is to be, once completed, the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Europe is actually currently under development in France — a 300 MW project in the southwest of the country — so things are moving along somewhat.
Image Credit: Public Domain
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