On Friday 14 June, the European Commission approved an Italian measure to support the production of electricity from renewable sources.
This measure, with an estimated budget of €5.4 billion and applicable until 2021, aims to stimulate electricity production based on onshore wind energy, solar photovoltaic energy, hydroelectric energy and sewage gas.
The recipients of this aid, namely renewable energy installations, will benefit from premiums in addition to market prices, it being understood that these premiums may not exceed the difference between the average production cost for each renewable energy technology and the market price. A clawback mechanism will also be in place. This means that if market prices were to exceed the average cost of production for each renewable technology, the facilities would no longer receive bonuses and would have to repay Rome for the additional revenues.
In addition, for projects with a capacity of more than 1 megawatt, the bonus will be awarded through a competitive bidding process open to all types of installations.
The Commission has examined this measure in the light of the 2014 Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy. Considering that the aid was proportionate and limited to the minimum necessary, it considered it to be compatible with the EU State aid rules. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)