Reducing the number of green certificates to producers of energy from photovoltaic sources is illegal and the State ” has gone too far with abusive measures” against green industry that will cost the state ” billion “, according to Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association ( ARIF ) .

 

” Since March 29, the Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE ) monitoring report published overcompensation through which the government recommended reducing the number of green certificates for the solar industry, our association has presented arguments that the assumptions considered this report does not reflect the reality of the market and a reduction to three green certificates is not only severely damages the investors / producers of solar energy ( number of certificates should be at least 4.5), but is also illegal, ” according to a release of ARIF .

Earlier this week, the government decided that wind energy producers receive from January 1, 2014, only 1.5 green certificates for each MWh of energy supplied to consumers, while photovoltaic units will be rewarded with three green certificates, half of the current.

 

Wind units will receive, by 2017, a number of 1.5 green certificates per MWh delivered over the network, and after 2018 will receive 1.25 of green certificates. Currently, wind farms receive two green certificates until 2017 that a green certificate after 2018.

 

For photovoltaic plants, the number of green certificates will be reduced, as of January 1, from six to three per MWh of electricity. If microhidrocentraleolor new installed power of 10 MW, the number of green certificates will decrease from three to 2.3 MWh of green electricity certificates.

 

ANRE found in the first half, following a study that renewable energy producers receive too many certified green energy produced, in relation to the cost of investments in power production, and recommended the Government to reduce the number of green certificates granted thereof.

 

The press release states that the decision to reduce the number of green certificates violate the law system promoting energy from renewable sources.

 

The law provides that if within two consecutive years Romania does not meet the mandatory annual quota of electricity produced from renewable sources that benefit from the promotion system, the Government will take measures to stimulate investment.

 

According to Arif, Romania has achieved these rates over the past three years. Reaching quotas would lead to reduction in the price of green certificates, and the price paid by consumers for electricity consumed.

 

According to Arif, investments in renewable energy amounted to a total of 5 billion being created over 5,000 jobs, and companies have paid to the state budget 400 million euros.

 

Change the law on renewable energy have caused the loss of 15 million euros in VAT on green certificates.

 

In addition to reducing the number of green certificates, the Government has decided that from July 1, to be delayed granting a portion of green certificates to investors in small hydro, wind and photovoltaic measure will be valid until March 2017 hydro and solar and by 2018 for wind power.

 

ARIF will challenge the normative act which has reduced the number of green certificates for renewable energy ” competent court ” reads the statement.

 

The green certificates is the way the Government has decided to support the production of renewable energy. Each producer receives free a certain number of green certificates from Transelectrica for the energy he produce and deliver in the network.

 

Further, manufacturers sell these green certificates to suppliers, who are required by law to buy them, the goal being that a certain proportion of final energy consumption to be provided by renewable sources. Suppliers shall recover the costs of purchasing green certificates to include these costs in rates.