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Concentrating Solar Power in Developing Countries : Regulatory and Financial Incentives for Scaling UpConcentrating Solar Thermal power (CST) has a tremendous potential for scaling up renewable energy at the utility level, diversifying the generation portfolio mix, powering development, and mitigating climate change. At present, different CST technologies have reached varying degrees of commercial availability. This emerging nature of CST means that there are market and technical impediments to accelerating its acceptance, including cost competitiveness, an understanding of technology capability and limitations, intermittency, and benefits of electricity storage. Many developed and some developing countries are currently working to address these barriers in order to scale up CST-based power generation. This report: a) analyzes and draws lessons from the efforts of some developed countries and adapts them to the characteristics of developing economies; b) assesses the cost reduction potential and economic and financial affordability of various technologies in emerging markets; c) evaluates the potential for cost reduction and associated economic benefits derived from local manufacturing; and d) suggests ways to tailor bidding models and practices, bid selection criteria, and structures for power purchase agreements (PPAs) for CST projects in developing market conditions. The report also presents a review of typical cost structures for parabolic trough and power tower plants, which was derived from projects developed or under preparation in Spain and the United States specifically for this report, and an in-depth assessment of the respective cost drivers.
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Turkey’s Energy Transition Milestones and ChallengesThrough a variety of interlinked measures, Turkey’s energy reforms have achieved energy security for a fast-growing economy with rapidly increasing energy needs. These measures include legislation regarding electricity, gas, renewable energy, and energy efficiency; the establishment of an energy sector regulatory authority; energy price reform; the creation of a functional electricity market and large-scale introduction of natural gas; the restructuring of state-owned energy enterprises; and large-scale private sector participation through privatization and new investment. The objectives of this are to: (a) inform future energy reforms and reformers seeking to learn and benefit from Turkey’s experience, and (b) contribute to the dialogue on future energy reforms in Turkey. The report will present Turkey’s accomplishments in developing and implementing market-oriented energy reforms as well as selected key reform challenges going forward. In terms of reform milestones, the primary focus is on the electric power and natural gas sectors, although energy pricing and subsidies in the petroleum sector are also addressed. The report covers mainly the period starting from 2001, when progressive electricity and natural gas market laws were enacted, though the preceding period - from the opening of the energy sector to private investment in 1984 up to the enactment of the new energy market laws in 2001 - is covered briefly to present key milestones and to highlight key lessons. In terms of future challenges, the report discusses the ongoing and unfinished liberalization of the electricity and gas markets as well as required government support, including governance, in the energy sector. The challenges include the reform of the natural gas market, further development of the electricity market, and governance issues in the energy sector. Discussion of environmental and social issues and challenges has been integrated into the relevant sections.
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A Review of Solar Energy : Markets, Economics and PoliciesSolar energy has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years due to both technological improvements resulting in cost reductions and government policies supportive of renewable energy development and utilization. This study analyzes the technical, economic and policy aspects of solar energy development and deployment. While the cost of solar energy has declined rapidly in the recent past, it still remains much higher than the cost of conventional energy technologies. Like other renewable energy technologies, solar energy benefits from fiscal and regulatory incentives and mandates, including tax credits and exemptions, feed-in-tariff, preferential interest rates, renewable portfolio standards and voluntary green power programs in many countries. Potential expansion of carbon credit markets also would provide additional incentives to solar energy deployment; however, the scale of incentives provided by the existing carbon market instruments, such as the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol, is limited. Despite the huge technical potential, development and large-scale, market-driven deployment of solar energy technologies world-wide still has to overcome a number of technical and financial barriers. Unless these barriers are overcome, maintaining and increasing electricity supplies from solar energy will require continuation of potentially costly policy supports.