The European Commission has approved the Belgian support scheme for electricity generation from offshore renewable energy, considering that Belgian plans to finance power generation from offshore wind are in line with EU state aid rules.
Under the Belgian support scheme, operators will receive certificates for offshore energy produced from renewable energy sources from the federal energy regulator (CREG). The operators can then sell these certificates to the transmission system operator Elia at a premium on top of the price they receive for electricity sold on the market. The support scheme is financed by a surcharge that is finally paid by electricity consumers. In order to avoid any discrimination against foreign renewable energy producers resulting from the financing mechanism, Belgium has committed to partially opening up the scheme, as from 1 January 2017, to foreign producers of electricity from renewable resources.
In addition, the Commission has also approved support to the 296 MW Rentel and 350 MW Norther wind projects in the Belgian part of the North Sea. The projects will also receive generation certificates that can be sold to power transmission grid operator Elia at a premium on top of the price they receive for electricity sold on the market. The Commission has considered that the support level doesn't result in overcompensation.
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