On Friday 16 February, the European Commission approved a system of certificates for electricity produced from renewable sources and high-efficiency cogeneration, set in place in Flanders to support these activities.
The first measure consists of awarding green certificates to producers of electricity from renewable sources, at a rate of one green certificate for every megawatt produced. A second, similar, measure takes the form of a certificate awarded for each megawatt of energy saved in the framework of combined heat and energy production, by means of high-efficiency cogeneration plants.
This allows producers to sell their certificates on the market, thereby obtaining additional income on top of the electricity price.
The Commission assessed the two measures, which were notified by Belgium in October of last year, in light of EU rules on state aid, more specifically the 2014 guidelines on state aid for environmental protection and energy.
The institution considered that the two measures would promote activities to produce electricity from renewable sources and high-efficiency cogeneration, without bringing about significant competition distortions. Also, considering that the regimes in question would help Belgium to achieve its environmental targets for 2020, specifically to cover 13% of its energy needs from renewable sources, the Commission approved the measures. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)