EBRD helps Ukraine switch to auctions

With the Ukrainian parliament having approved at first reading new provisions to replace a feed-in tariff for large-scale renewables with an auction mechanism, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced it will support the Ukrainian government in the process.

The bank said it has already developed a comprehensive technical assistance program to support Ukrainian authorities on all aspects of the transition to competitive bidding procurement.

The EBRD has been closely engaged in Ukraine’s renewable energy sector through direct investment in projects and by providing regulatory and policy advice, the multilateral lender said in a statement.

As a first step, the EBRD is seeking a consultant to support the Ukrainian organizations responsible for setting targets, in relation to designing and implementing a competitive bidding procurement process. The selected consultants will have to support the setting of renewable energy targets and making recommendations for the new procurement system, taking into account stakeholder feedback.

Auction dates already set

Interested consultants have time until March 1 to submit proposals.

“The assignment is expected to start in March 2019 and has an estimated overall duration of 24 months,” the EBRD said.

Ukraine’s first auction for large-scale solar and other renewables will be held next year, according to a draft document approved at the end of last year.

In 2020, auctions are planned for large-scale solar projects (with more than 10 MW capacity) and wind farms (more than 20 MW), with a second series of auctions planned for 2021-2022, for PV projects of more than 5 MW capacity and wind schemes not larger than 20 MW.

In 2023, auctions will be held for solar installations with a capacity of more than 1 MW and wind projects larger than 3 MW. The ceiling price for each of the auctions will be the level of FITs available at that point.