B a r b a r a B r e i t s c h o p f ( F r a u n h o f e r I S I ) ,R o b e r t B r ü c k m a n n ( e c l a r e o n ) a n d P a u l N o o t h o u t ( E c o f y s )

D I A C O R E - C E P S P o l i c y Wo r k s h o p - B r u s s e l s 2 1 . 5 . 2 0 1 5

F inanc ing Renewab les : compar i son o f cos t o f cap i ta l in 28 EU Member S ta tes

Background & methodology of research

Results: comparison of costs of capital

Conclusions

O v e rv ie w

Background & methodology

Main objectives:

Examine the role of risk and its influence on investments in the RES sector;

Compare the cost of capital and show why it matters;

Provide solutions in order to enhance investments in the RES sector;

Scope of research:

What is the range between cost of capital in the 28 EU MS for wind onshore projects and why is there such a range?

Which risks to wind onshore projects have which impact on RES investments?

How do changes in policy design affect costs of capital?

W o rk p a c k a g e : E n h a n c in g RE S in v e s tme n t

Our methodology for comparing costs of capita l and r isks

Model

• Estimation of costs of capital & ranking of wind onshore-investments risks

• Comprehensive literature study

• Application of RE-frame barriers database (more than 900 listed barriers)

• Draft of 28 EU MS country profiles

Evaluation

• Interviews with financial experts (more than 80 interviews in 26 MS)

• Evaluation of underlying assumptions of model & estimated parameters

• Adaptation of model based on input from interviews

Results

• Aggregation of EU-wide data

• Presentation of results and feedback from more than 40 national experts

• Preparation of deliverables: Country profiles, policy toolbox & final report

There are several methods for wind project financing: corporate financing or project financing

Ongoing changing (often falling) interest rates

Constant changes of RES market conditions

Lack of current, significant projects in some EU markets

Trade secrets

B e f o re w e s ta r t : s o me c a v e a ts

Comparison of costs of capital

W ACC e s t ima t io n s o n s h o re w in d – a p p ro x ima t io n b a s e d o n in te rv ie w s

I mp a c t o f c o s ts o f c a p i ta l o n RE S c o s ts in a s y s te m d y n a m ic a p p ro a c h

-

Little supportneeded

Low risk of systemchange

Low deployment

costs +

Much supportneeded

High deployment

costs

High risk of systemchange

Capital costs +

Much supportneeded

High deployment

costs

High risk of systemchange

Cost of capital

Co s t o f E q u i ty ( a p p ro x ima t io n b a s e d o n in te rv ie w s f o r o n s h o re w in d )

Co s t o f De b t ( a p p ro x ima t io n b a s e d o n in te rv ie w s f o r o n s h o re w in d )

De b t/ E q u i ty Ra t io s ( a p p ro x im a t io n b a s e d o n i n te rv ie w s f o r o n s h o re w in d )

Conclusions

Huge variation in costs of capital for wind onshore projects in EU Member States

High cost of capital lead to increasing wind onshore deployment costs

Difference is in particular due to difference in cost of debt and cost/equity ratio

Factors for differing costs of capital are

RES specific risk premium

Country specific risks

Competition between investors

Co n c lu s io n s

W ACC e s t ima t io n s a n d s u p p o r t s c h e me s f o r o n s h o re w in d

What risks are influencing RES investments?

What investment risks are most important?

How can policies mitigate investment risks?

O v e rv ie w

What risks are influencing RES

investments?

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

Baseline rate Cost of equity RES investment risks

RE S in v e s tme n t r i s k s –H o w r i s k s in f lu e n c e c o s t o f e q u i ty

Ris

ks re

late

d to

RE

S in

vestm

ents

RE S in v e s tme n t r i s k s – Ris k c a te g o r ie s

Planning Construction Operation

Baseline rate (country risks)

Public acceptance risks

Administrative risks

Financing risks

Technical & management risks

Grid access risks

Policy design risks

Market & regulatory risks

Sudden policy change risks

What investment risks are most

important?

Av e ra g e ra n k in g o f r i s k c a te g o r ie s a c ro s s 24 E U M S

Average Ranking of Risks – 24 EU member states

Co mp a r in g r i s k s in N o r th - W e s te rn , E a s te rn a n d S o u th e rn M e m b e r S ta te s

Co mp a r in g r i s k s in M e mb e r S ta te s b y s ta tu s o f w in d p o w e r d e p lo y m e n t

How can policies mitigate

investment risks?

RE S in v e s tme n t r i s k s – h o w c a n p o l i c y mi t ig a te th e s e r i s k s ?

Planning Construction Operation

Baseline rate (country risks)

Public acceptance risks

Administrative risks

Financing risks

Technical & management risks

Grid access risks

Policy design risks

Market & regulatory risks

Sudden policy change risks

Huge variation in capital costs for RES projects in different EU Member States

Significant differences between regions and market development

Across all EU-MS Policy design risks perceived as most pressing;

Not only choice of support scheme essential for reduction of policy risks –specific design of support scheme also very important

Not all risk categories can be mitigated by policy alone, as other factors and stakeholders are also exerting influencing;

Co n c lu s io n s

http://www.diacore.eu/

More information: Contact Details:Coordinator WP 3:

Lucie Tesnière & Paul Noothout

Ecofys

E-mail: p.noothout@ecofys.com

Robert Brückmann & Filip Jirouš

eclareon

E-mail: rb@eclareon.com

Barbara Breitschopf & Mario Ragwitz

Fraunhofer ISI

E-mail: barbara.breitschopf@isi.fraunhofer.de