Germany’s Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has released the results of its October biomass tender, confirming strong demand as bids exceeded the available volume by more than 120 megawatts (MW).
A total of 813 MW of capacity was offered, while 940 MW in bids were submitted.
Despite the tender being expanded at short notice, the round remained oversubscribed.
Sandra Rostek, head of the Bioenergy Capital Office (HBB), said the outcome provides welcome stability for operators.
She noted that hundreds of biogas plants gained contracts that secure their continued operation, adding that more than 800 MW of firm, weather-independent biogas capacity will support Germany’s energy transition and security of supply.
Industry groups within the HBB warned that the positive headline figures obscure underlying challenges.
Many operators were pushed into submitting uneconomic bids, particularly those who had repeatedly failed to secure contracts in previous rounds and saw October as their final opportunity for follow-on support.
Associations also highlighted the lack of practical, nationwide solutions for small existing plants and for installations nearing the end of their support period, some of which are still struggling with grid-connection delays.
Earlier this year, bioenergy organisations proposed revisions to the recently approved “Biomass Package 2.0”, calling for more realistic flexibility requirements and higher tender volumes from 2027.
In total, 692 bids received awards. Thirty-three winning bids, totalling 63 MW, went to new installations, while existing plants secured 659 awards amounting to 752 MW.
Eighty-seven bids were excluded.
Winning bid prices ranged from 11.00 to 19.48 euro cents per kilowatt-hour, with an average volume-weighted price of 18.11 cents, below the maximum allowable rate for existing plants.
Bavaria received the largest share of awarded capacity at 276 MW, followed by Lower Saxony with 143 MW and North Rhine-Westphalia with 94 MW.
Biomass tender oversubscribed as Germany secures over 800 MW capacity
