Germany’s Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has announced the results of its October biomass tender, confirming that demand far exceeded the available capacity. While 813 MW of biomass capacity was offered, bids totalling 940 MW were submitted, overshooting the volume by more than 120 MW. Even with a last-minute increase in tender size, the round remained oversubscribed, reports Bioenergy Insight.
Sandra Rostek, head of the Bioenergy Capital Office (HBB), said the results offer much-needed stability for operators. She noted that hundreds of biogas plants secured contracts that will help ensure their continued operation. According to her, more than 800 MW of firm, weather-independent biogas capacity will continue to support Germany’s energy transition and supply security.
However, industry groups within the HBB cautioned that the strong numbers hide several ongoing challenges. They said many operators were forced to submit bids that may not be financially viable, especially those who failed in previous tender rounds and viewed October as their last chance for further support. They also pointed to the lack of practical, nationwide solutions for small plants and for facilities nearing the end of their support period, some of which still face delays in connecting to the grid.
Earlier this year, bioenergy associations suggested changes to the recently approved “Biomass Package 2.0,” including more realistic flexibility requirements and higher tender volumes from 2027 onward.
In the latest tender, 692 bids received awards. Thirty-three winning bids, totalling 63 MW, were for new installations, while existing plants received 659 awards amounting to 752 MW. A total of 87 bids were excluded.
Winning prices ranged from 11.00 to 19.48 euro cents per kilowatt-hour. The average price, weighted by volume, was 18.11 cents—below the maximum allowed rate for existing plants.
By region, Bavaria received the largest share of awarded capacity with 276 MW, followed by Lower Saxony with 143 MW and North Rhine-Westphalia with 94 MW.
