German grid regulator BNetzA has kicked off the country's fourth onshore wind auction of 2018 with 670MW of capacity on offer at a maximum bid price of €63 per megawatt-hour. Total volume is less than the 700MW originally planned after the capacity of prototype turbines installed last year was subtracted from the amount on offer. Bidding deadline for the latest round is 1 October with the results usually announced around two weeks after close. Bidders must hold a Pollution Control Act permit and need to have been registered with BNetzA. The combined capacity of projects in the wind-prone areas of northern Germany will be capped at 311MW. The results of the 670MW third round, where bidding closed on 1 August, are expected to be announced within days. In May, in the second onshore sale this year, BNetzA awarded 604MW of grid capacity to 111 successful bidders. The average price was €57.30/MWh, higher than the €47.30/MWh in the first round that took place in early 2018. However, the 670MW tender was undersubscribed, the first time this has happened since the country started onshore wind auctions last year.
German grid regulator BNetzA has launched this year's fourth onshore wind tender, with 670 MW up for grabs at a maximum price of €63 ($72)/MWh. The winning bids will likely be announced two weeks after the 1 October deadline.