The world is divided into grid areas. Whenever a user positions a plant/storage unit on a grid, a fee must be paid. If the grid is owned by another user, that user will receive the fee. If the grid is not owned by a user, it is owned by the country's government, thus they will receive the fee.

You can place a bid on a grid, and if you win the auction, you will earn the fees for all future constructions on that grid.