Journal
ENERGY SOURCES PART B-ECONOMICS PLANNING AND POLICY
Volume 16, Issue 1, Pages 23-41Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC
DOI: 10.1080/15567249.2020.1773580
Keywords
Concentrating solar power; technological learning; value chain analysis; energy policy; industry development
Categories
Funding
- European Union [764626]
- H2020 Societal Challenges Programme [764626] Funding Source: H2020 Societal Challenges Programme
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The history of the CSP industry has seen cycles of boom and bust, with recent Chinese support and low-cost projects driving a new boom phase. Despite strong cost reductions and industry strengthening, the thin project pipeline and cancellation of major support schemes in China bring uncertainty for the future.
The history of concentrating solar power (CSP) is characterized by a boom-bust pattern caused by policy support changes. Following the 2014-2016 bust phase, the combination of Chinese support and several low-cost projects triggered a new boom phase. We investigate the near- to mid-term cost, industry, market and policy outlook for the global CSP sector and show that CSP costs have decreased strongly and approach cost-competitiveness with new conventional generation. Industry has been strengthened through the entry of numerous new companies. However, the project pipeline is thin: no project broke ground in 2019 and only four projects are under construction in 2020. The only remaining large support scheme, in China, has been canceled. Without additional support soon creating a new market, the value chain may collapse and recent cost and technological advances may be undone. If policy support is renewed, however, the global CSP sector is prepared for a bright future.
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