popular articles

REC in Asia-Pacific: 76% Price Drop Expected by 2050

REC prices are expected to drop by 76% by 2050 in the Asia-Pacific region, falling from 46 to 11 USD/MWh, due to the massive increase in renewable energy generation in the region, according to a report by Wood Mackenzie.

Please share:

The Asia-Pacific region could experience a significant drop in REC prices by 2050. According to a new study by Wood Mackenzie, these prices are expected to drop by 76%, falling from 46 USD/MWh to just 11 USD/MWh. This trend is attributed to an oversupply of REC resulting from the strong growth in renewable energy production, which is expected to quadruple over the same period.

The study, titled “Price outlook for Renewable Energy Certificates in Asia,” analyzed the effects of this increase on REC prices in six key markets in the Asia-Pacific region: Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, India, China, and Japan. The report indicates that the share of renewable energy in the energy mix of the six markets is expected to increase from 14% in 2023 to 55% by 2050.

Impact of Energy Production on REC

In parallel, the costs of producing electricity from solar and onshore wind projects are expected to decrease by at least 40% on average over the same period. This reduction in costs will make REC cheaper, as the need to subsidize projects through these certificates will become less critical. “REC play a crucial role in supporting new investments in renewable energy by providing incentive mechanisms and enabling end-users to purchase green energy credits,” said Ken Lee, Head of Asia-Pacific Power Research at Wood Mackenzie.

Oversupply of REC

Wood Mackenzie estimates that the supply of REC will continue to exceed demand until 2050, leading to continuous pressure on prices. The report specifies that the decline in fossil fuel energy production will also slow mandatory REC demand in some regional markets, as REC requirements are often imposed on fossil fuel producers.

According to Ken Lee, the total excess REC supply in five of the six markets, excluding China, is expected to increase from 13 TWh in 2023 to 241 TWh by 2050. By comparison, China represents a unique case where state policies will increase REC purchase requirements, which could stabilize prices in the country.

REC Price Evolution by Market

Currently, Taiwan and South Korea have the highest REC prices in the region. However, these prices are expected to fall by at least 70% by 2050, due to increased REC supply and reduced renewable energy production costs. Overall, average REC prices in the six markets analyzed are expected to fall from 46 USD/MWh in 2023 to just 11 USD/MWh by 2050.

A Contrasting Situation in China and Japan

In China, Wood Mackenzie’s report anticipates an increase in REC prices starting in the late 2020s. Government measures aimed at strengthening REC purchase requirements for the energy and industrial sectors should reduce the excess supply, thereby stabilizing prices.

In Japan, REC prices (between 4 and 5 USD/MWh in 2023) are not sufficient to economically support the development of new solar or wind projects. Project developers will need to turn to other mechanisms such as feed-in tariff (FiT) or corporate power purchase agreements (PPA) to ensure the profitability of their projects.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

South African authorities are advocating for an approach that integrates economic development and environmental protection, highlighting global imbalances in climate responsibility.
The European Commission is considering changing environmental laws to accelerate the granting of permits for renewable energy projects across the European Union.
The European Commission is considering changing environmental laws to accelerate the granting of permits for renewable energy projects across the European Union.
Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
German regulator BNetzA has launched a consultation on a major grid tariff reform that could require electricity producers to pay access fees, thus altering the current funding structure.
German regulator BNetzA has launched a consultation on a major grid tariff reform that could require electricity producers to pay access fees, thus altering the current funding structure.
The U.S. Department of Energy will purchase three litres of helium-3 from Interlune by 2029, marking the first public contract involving a natural resource extracted from the lunar surface.
Iran will limit daily power cuts to two hours for households starting May 10, aiming to ease pressure on the national electricity grid as temperatures climb.
Iran will limit daily power cuts to two hours for households starting May 10, aiming to ease pressure on the national electricity grid as temperatures climb.
The French government has entrusted Bernard Fontana with the leadership of EDF, relying on his industrial background to manage the end of the Arenh and revive the nuclear programme.
The French government has entrusted Bernard Fontana with the leadership of EDF, relying on his industrial background to manage the end of the Arenh and revive the nuclear programme.
Germany’s new Economy Minister, Katherina Reiche, plans 20 gigawatts of gas-fired plants to address the limits of renewable energy.
Germany’s new Economy Minister, Katherina Reiche, plans 20 gigawatts of gas-fired plants to address the limits of renewable energy.
The Spanish Prime Minister has asked for more time to determine the causes of an unprecedented outage on April 28 that cut 15 gigawatts of electricity from the peninsula’s grid.
Prime Minister François Bayrou confirmed that France’s 2025–2035 energy roadmap remains under discussion and will only be finalised after parliamentary debates starting on 16 June.
Prime Minister François Bayrou confirmed that France’s 2025–2035 energy roadmap remains under discussion and will only be finalised after parliamentary debates starting on 16 June.
The re-election of the Albanese government reassures energy stakeholders calling for regulatory adjustments to accelerate projects and secure long-term investment.
The re-election of the Albanese government reassures energy stakeholders calling for regulatory adjustments to accelerate projects and secure long-term investment.
SOGARA is launching a two-phase modernisation programme to increase the country's energy autonomy by 2030, with financing primarily from external sources.
SOGARA is launching a two-phase modernisation programme to increase the country's energy autonomy by 2030, with financing primarily from external sources.
Suriname has launched a pre-distribution programme of its future oil revenues, offering a $750 bonus to more than 570,000 citizens well before the start of offshore production scheduled for 2028.
One week after the massive blackout, Spain and Portugal continue their investigations with no technical conclusion, while Madrid calls on France to accelerate cross-border interconnection projects.
One week after the massive blackout, Spain and Portugal continue their investigations with no technical conclusion, while Madrid calls on France to accelerate cross-border interconnection projects.
Australia’s opposition leader unveils a seven-reactor plan, challenging current energy policy days before federal elections and reviving a decades-old debate.
Australia’s opposition leader unveils a seven-reactor plan, challenging current energy policy days before federal elections and reviving a decades-old debate.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission proposes reducing certain renewable generation targets due to a slower-than-expected rise in electricity demand.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission proposes reducing certain renewable generation targets due to a slower-than-expected rise in electricity demand.
Nominated to lead EDF, Bernard Fontana aims to restore dialogue with electro-intensive industries and oversee the nuclear revival while ensuring the group’s financial sustainability.
Two days after a blackout that disrupted 60% of national demand, the growing share of renewables in Spain’s grid faces strong political and industrial criticism.
Two days after a blackout that disrupted 60% of national demand, the growing share of renewables in Spain’s grid faces strong political and industrial criticism.
The NGO Reclaim Finance ranked BPCE last among twenty major European banks for its lack of commitment to the transition towards carbon neutrality, according to a study published on Tuesday.
The NGO Reclaim Finance ranked BPCE last among twenty major European banks for its lack of commitment to the transition towards carbon neutrality, according to a study published on Tuesday.
François Bayrou plans to postpone the publication of the French energy decree until the end of the summer after parliamentary review, under pressure from the Rassemblement National and part of the right.
François Bayrou plans to postpone the publication of the French energy decree until the end of the summer after parliamentary review, under pressure from the Rassemblement National and part of the right.
Argentina initiates Enarsa's privatization to redefine the state's role toward stronger regulation, paving the way for increased private investment in the national energy sector amid significant industrial and commercial transformation.
The British environmental movement Just Stop Oil organised its final march in London on Saturday, announcing the end of its spectacular actions against new oil and gas projects in the United Kingdom.
The British environmental movement Just Stop Oil organised its final march in London on Saturday, announcing the end of its spectacular actions against new oil and gas projects in the United Kingdom.
The Dutch government is unlocking €11.4 billion aimed at securing industrial energy supplies, strengthening electricity infrastructure, and accelerating civilian nuclear development, in response to current economic and energy constraints.
The Dutch government is unlocking €11.4 billion aimed at securing industrial energy supplies, strengthening electricity infrastructure, and accelerating civilian nuclear development, in response to current economic and energy constraints.
France proposes a stronger alliance between the European Union and China to counter the absence of the United States in the fight against climate change, with a summit scheduled for July 2025.
France proposes a stronger alliance between the European Union and China to counter the absence of the United States in the fight against climate change, with a summit scheduled for July 2025.

Advertising