The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) market for renewable assets continues to be highly competitive, according to the latest survey results from Cornwall Insight’s PPA insight service. In fact, the PPA market for renewable generation assets has seen a significant rise in the £/MWh value achieved by generators, particularly in the short-term market (deals 1 – 3 years in length).
This has been driven by higher wholesale power prices and is especially notable in the Feed in Tariff (FiT) market. A growing number of FiT generators opt for PPAs instead of the administered export rate.
Lee Drummee, Analyst at Cornwall Insight, said:
“According to our PPA market share report, more parties are entering the market. In particular, smaller green suppliers looking to back renewable energy supply tariffs against green power purchased directly from generators, instead of or alongside Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origins (REGOs).
“As such, the renewables PPA market remains highly competitive with value retention levels for generators remaining high amid a competitive offtake market. Some offtakers have even reported that winning PPA bids in competitive tenders and auctions appear to be mispriced or loss-making.
“Differing views on forward wholesale power prices, particularly captured prices for intermittent renewables due to price cannibalisation, is one reason behind this trend. Wider strategic moves, including sourcing green power to back renewable supply tariffs, only add to this competitive space.
“Market participants have noted that there is a high level of interest in long-term (5 – 15 years) fixed price PPA deals. However, concerns surrounding price cannibalisation remains a barrier to securing these longer-term deals. According to market participants, the difficulty in hedging prices for delivery in later years of contracts has made these deals hard to close. Only a small number of offtakers can offer long-term fixed prices.
“Increased interest in corporate PPAs continues to be noted, but a gap in expectations between offtakers and corporates remains, according to our survey, and slim price benefits create difficult negotiations.
“Looking ahead, developers of new-build assets are continuing to assess their best route to market options ahead of the fourth Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocation round. These project developers are approaching many offtakers; however, developers also weigh up the CfD versus alternative routes to market such as corporate PPAs and utility PPAs.”
About the Cornwall Insight Group
Cornwall Insight is the pre-eminent provider of research, analysis, consulting and training to businesses and stakeholders engaged in the Australian, Great British and Irish energy markets. To support our customers, we leverage a powerful combination of analytical capability, a detailed appreciation of regulation codes and policy frameworks, and a practical understanding of how markets function.
