Abstract
The rapid worldwide growth of renewable energy has been largely underpinned by government support over the past decade. The need for subsidy is fading as the cost of electricity from renewables converges with that from fossil fuels, but the withdrawal of support schemes will also remove the revenue stability offered by auction schemes and contracts for differences. Exposure to market risk (fluctuating wholesale electricity prices) raises the cost of capital for merchant renewable generators. Here we quantify the extent to which increased volatility in future power prices affects revenues by combining electricity market and stochastic discounted cash flow models. Renewable projects relying purely on merchant pricing may see cost of capital rise by two percentage points (e.g. from 7% to 9%). Unless new private or government actors provide hedging solutions, fewer developers will undertake new renewable energy projects, slowing the energy transition and increasing its cost to society.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.