Renewable Energy Auctions: Lessons from the Global South

Renewable Energy Auctions provides an overview of renewable energy auctions globally, focusing on the Global South, since this is where auctions have been pioneered and provided most transformative results. Renewable energy auctions have become the dominant method for contracting utility-scale renewable energy projects, in large part due to the cost-efficient tariffs secured through this method. The ascent of auctions has been particularly rapid and transformative in the Global South, where many countries have secured renewable energy supplies at record-breaking prices. This book analyses the experiences of frontier auction markets in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and India, with the aim of improving how auctions are designed and implemented globally.

The book goes beyond the topic of auction design - which is concerned with the micro-economics of design choices - to include auction implementation. Across ten chapters, the authors argue that choices around the auction implementing institution and the procurement process are overlooked in most publications on the subject, yet this is often a key factor for determining outcomes. Moving beyond the program level of analysis (auction design and implementation), the book includes both country and project level factors' impacts on auction outcomes, ultimately highlighting that successful price and investment outcomes are dependent upon integration of all three levels of auction design and implementation.

Anton Eberhard, Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar, University of Cape Town,Wikus Kruger, Research Lead, Power Futures Lab at the University of Cape Town

Anton Eberhard is a professor at the University of Cape Town where he directs the Power Futures Lab (formerly Management Programme in Infrastructure Investment, Reform and Regulation) at the Graduate School of Business. His research and teaching focuses on governance and regulatory incentives to improve utility performance, the political-economy of power sector reform, investment challenges, and linkages to sustainable development. He has worked in the energy sector across Sub-Saharan Africa, and other developing regions, for more than 35 years and was the founding director of the Energy and Development Research Centre. In 2012, he received the SA National Energy Association's award for outstanding and sustained contributions to the enhancement of the South African energy environment.


Wikus Kruger is a research lead in the Power Futures Lab, based at the Graduate School of Business of the University of Cape Town. His research focuses on independent power producer (IPP) and emerging power investments in Africa, especially focused on renewable energy and energy access. Wikus previously worked as a research officer in the energy, poverty and development thematic group, at the Energy Research Centre, based at the University of Cape Town. Wikus holds a Master of Science in development evaluation & management, Master of Philosophy in sustainable development planning & management, Bachelor of Philosophy in sustainable development planning & management, and a Bachelor of Arts in value & policy studies.

1. Introduction, Wikus Kruger & Anton Eberhard
2. Brazil - A global auctions pioneer, Maurício T. Tolmasquim, Tiago de Barros Correia, & Natália Addas Porto
3. Chile - Fostering competitive renewable energy in a complex market, Pablo Serra
4. Argentina - Auctions in a challenging investment context, Martín A Rodríguez Pardina & Julieta Schiro,
5. Mexico - The promise and politics of auctions and reforms, Ignacio Rodriguez & Rogelio Avendaño
6. India - The perils of massive ambition, Vinay Rustagi & Mridul Chadha
7. South Africa - A regional trailblazer seeking transformation, Wikus Kruger, Anton Eberhard, Anna V. Filipova, & Raine Naude
8. Zambia - The surprising power of trust, Wikus Kruger & Anton Eberhard
9. Namibia - Bidding on the sun, Wikus Kruger & Anton Eberhard
10. Contributions from the global South and future directions, Wikus Kruger & Anton Eberhard