Policy choices and outcomes for offshore wind auctions globally

• Published in: Energy policy 2022-08, Vol.167, p.113000, Article 113000
• Main Authors: Jansen, Malte, Beiter, Philipp, Riepin, Iegor, Müsgens, Felix, Guajardo-Fajardo, Victor Juarez, Staffell, Iain, Bulder, Bernard, Kitzing, Lena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Auction database; Auctions; ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY; Offshore wind; Policy analysis; Procurement; Remuneration Mechanism; Renewable energy; Revenue stabilisation; Support scheme; Tender design; WIND ENERGY
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113000

Offshore wind energy is rapidly expanding, facilitated largely through auctions run by governments. We provide a detailed quantified overview of utilised auction schemes, including geographical spread, volumes, results, and design specifications. Our comprehensive global dataset reveals heterogeneous designs. Although most auction designs provide some form of revenue stabilisation, their specific instrument choices vary and include feed-in tariffs, one-sided and two-sided contracts for difference, mandated power purchase agreements, and mandated renewable energy certificates. We review the schemes used in all eight major offshore wind jurisdictions across Europe, Asia, and North America and evaluate bids in their jurisdictional context. We analyse cost competitiveness, likelihood of timely construction, occurrence of strategic bidding, and identify jurisdictional aspects that might have influenced auction results. We find that auctions are embedded within their respective regulatory and market design context, and are remarkably diverse, though with regional similarities. Auctions in each jurisdiction have evolved and tend to become more exposed to market price risks over time. Less mature markets are more prone to make use of lower-risk designs. Still, some form of revenue stabilisation is employed for all auctioned offshore wind energy farms analysed here, regardless of the specific policy choices. Our data confirm a coincidence of declining costs and growing diffusion of auction regimes. •Global stock-taking of offshore wind auctions through statistical analysis.•Auctions expected to dominate procurement in future, with estimated share of 97%.•Describing auction designs and outcomes for most of the 53.4 GW auctioned to date.•Auction designs show a wide range of policy choices, embedded in regional contexts.•Revenue stabilisation is a key procurement feature, especially in nascent markets.