Ukraine’s first competitive renewable energy support auction, held on September 25, 2026, revealed a sharp divergence in investor appetite. The standalone solar auction fell short of its quota, while the solar-plus-storage (PV+BESS) auction was oversubscribed by nearly four times. The signal from the market is clear: investors are betting on hybrid solutions.
Key figures:
- Solar-plus-storage auction: 24 companies submitted 385.9 MW in bids against a 100 MW quota — 3.86 times oversubscribed.
- Standalone solar auction: only 3 bids from 2 companies totaling 38.99 MW out of a possible 50 MW (78% of quota).
- Average bid price for PV+BESS — 9.54 euro cents/kWh; for standalone solar — 7.6 euro cents/kWh.
- The lowest bid in the auction — 5.97 euro cents/kWh, submitted by Lightday.
Standalone Solar: Cooling Interest
According to pv magazine Global, the standalone solar auction with a 50 MW quota attracted just three bids from two companies, totaling 38.99 MW. The price range spanned 7.30–7.99 euro cents/kWh against a ceiling of 8 euro cents, with an average of 7.6 euro cents. With so few players competing for state support in the pure-solar segment, there was no meaningful price competition.
Solar+Storage: A Fight for Every Megawatt
The hybrid auction with a 100 MW quota drew 26 bids from 24 companies totaling 385.9 MW. Prices ranged from 5.97 to 11.45 euro cents/kWh against a ceiling of 12 euro cents, with an average bid of 9.54 euro cents. The Ukrainian Solar Energy Association attributes the stronger price dynamics to the high level of competition: some participants bid 23–50% below the starting price.
Technical requirements for PV+BESS projects mandate a storage system with capacity of at least 80% of the solar generation capacity and a minimum energy storage of 2 kWh per 1 kW of installed solar. The state support period runs for 12 years, with offtake payments covering morning and evening hours (00:00–11:59 and 14:00–23:59). These conditions naturally push up the per-kWh price: investors must recoup the cost of both panels and batteries. For a broader perspective on this sector, see our overview of energy storage development in Ukraine.
What This Means for Ukraine and Investors
The auction result is not a coincidence — it reflects a mature market judgment. Standalone solar plants produce a surplus at midday and deliver almost nothing in the evening, precisely when grid demand peaks. Batteries smooth that curve and make solar generation truly dispatchable. For owners of private solar installations, this is also a hint: monetizing output without storage will become increasingly constrained compared to just a few years ago. Anyone planning a residential solar system should explore the current government compensation programs for solar installation.
Final results are still being confirmed — state-owned Guaranteed Buyer JSC is verifying participant eligibility. According to Forbes Ukraine, seven winners were selected in the hybrid auction with a combined capacity of up to 100 MW; they include Lightday, Embud, Energy Development, and others. Bidding took place on the Prozorro.Sales platform and was open to participants from 14 regions and Kyiv, excluding active combat zones. Given the scale of privately owned solar installations registered across Ukraine, the market holds significant potential to scale hybrid solutions into the small-generation segment as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a solar-plus-storage auction differ from a standard one?
Participants commit to building a solar power plant together with a storage system covering at least 80% of the plant’s capacity and holding a minimum of 2 kWh per 1 kW of installed power. In return, the state guarantees offtake of electricity for 12 years during specified hours of the day.
Why are prices higher for hybrid projects?
Batteries add a significant share to capital expenditure. That is why the average bid of 9.54 euro cents/kWh in the PV+BESS segment exceeds the 7.6 euro cents for standalone solar — it is the premium for dispatchable generation and the ability to deliver power during the evening demand peak.
Sources: pv magazine Global, Forbes Ukraine
