‘Historic’ result as Portugal claims record-low prices in 700MW solar auction

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Image: Flickr/fdecomite.

Portugal’s second solar auction has closed with record-breaking low prices of €11.14/MWh (US$13.12), or US$0.0131/kWh, the country’s government announced this afternoon.

Of the 700MW available for auction, 670MW was awarded, with Hanwha Q CELLS winning half of the 12 lots with bids that included battery storage. Other winners included Tag Energy, Iberdrola and Enel, with the majority of the lots including battery storage.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The lowest bid falls below the previous industry record tariff of US$0.0135/kWh set by the Al Dhafra project in Abu Dhabi in April. It also comes in around 25% lower than the lowest bid in Portugal’s first PV tender last year, which was €14.76/MWh and at the time itself a record.

Held on 24 and 25 August, the latest auction was for lots in Portugal's southern regions of Alentejo and Algarve. Originally due to take place in spring, it was delayed due COVID-19. Speaking to PV Tech earlier in the year, Portuguese secretary of state for energy João Galamba said it was necessary to postpone the tender for it to be as successful as last year’s.

Galamba was satisfied with the outcome. The results show that Portugal is among “the most competitive countries in the world in terms of solar,” he wrote in social media, adding: “What happened today is historic.”

Portugal’s government said the solar auctions took place to create new business opportunities and promote a reduction in the cost of electricity. It added that taxpayers will save €559 million over the next 15 years as a result of the auctions.

Read Next

October 13, 2025
France’s Engie and the UAE’s Masdar have been chosen to jointly develop a 1.5GW PV power plant near Abu Dhabi.
October 13, 2025
The Trump administration has cancelled the 6.2GW Esmeralda 7 solar project in Nevada – once touted as one of the largest in the world.
October 13, 2025
Two Chinese state-owned energy enterprises have signed cooperation agreements on PV and wind power projects with Saudi companies, with the total contract value exceeding RMB30 billion (US$4.2 billion). 
October 13, 2025
Grenergy has begun construction on a 340MW solar project with 960MWh of energy storage in El Cabrero, located in Chile’s Biobío region. 
Premium
October 10, 2025
Gaëtan Masson of IEA PVPS warns of overcapacity, collapsing prices and slipping module quality in the new Trends in PV Applications report.
October 10, 2025
NTPC Renewable Energy Limited has signed an MoU with the Government of Gujarat to develop 15GW renewable energy projects in Gujarat.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK