EU approves Slovenian support scheme for renewables

The European Commission has approved changes to a Slovenian support scheme for renewables and high efficiency co-generation. The amended scheme will increase renewable energy production “in line with EU energy […]

The European Commission has approved changes to a Slovenian support scheme for renewables and high efficiency co-generation.

The amended scheme will increase renewable energy production “in line with EU energy objectives and without unduly distorting competition”.

In May 2015, Slovenia presented plans to amend their existing support scheme to make it more cost-effective and improve the integration of green electricity into the market.

The country aims to generate 25% of its electricity from renewables by 2020. It achieved around 21% of the target by the end of 2014 and expects the amended version to reach the remaining 4%.

The main change in the scheme is the introduction of a tender process through which it will select the projects that will receive support under the scheme and determine the appropriate amount of that.

In particular, Slovenia has introduced a two-round tender process designed to increase competition between potential beneficiaries and ensure support goes to the best value projects.

The new market premium for operators above 500KW has also been introduced in the new scheme.

Operators of installations above this threshold will have to offer their electricity on the market and will receive their support in the form of a premium paid on top of the market price.

Furthermore, Slovenia has also notified the Commission its plans to lower the financial burden on undertakings in certain energy intensive sectors, which will benefit from a reduced levy.

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