10/11/2017 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 10 November, the European Commission approved a Spanish regime to support the production of electricity from renewable sources and waste, and high-yield heat and electricity co-generation. This measure, which has been in place since 2014, takes the form of a premium on top of the market electricity price, obtained through competitive auctions since last year to cover the cost of the plants in question and allow investors a reasonable return. In 2016, the Spanish authorities paid out €6.4 billion under this scheme. Under the EU State aid rules and the 2014 guidelines on state aid and protection of the environment and energy, the Commission found that the measure would allow Spain to increase its share of renewable electricity, without bringing about any significant competition distortion. (LT)