Brussels, 17/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Commission is soon to adopt a proposal of directive creating a framework for the promotion of high-output cogeneration in the internal energy market. The Commission considers that cogeneration, currently under-used in the Community, allows energy savings and reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases. The draft directive establishes the general principles and leaves it up to Member States to decide on the arrangements of implementation.
Origin and output: Member States must ensure the origin of electricity produced by cogeneration units is guaranteed on the basis of objective, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria. A relevant and independent body will be entrusted with supervising these questions of origin. The Member States must also finalise output values allowing the achievement of primary energy savings through production by cogeneration to be determined. The Commission will later study the possibility of finalising a harmonised method for establishing output criteria.
Support systems: The States may grant public aid on condition that the measures taken are in favour of protecting the environment, and implement support mechanisms for cogeneration (aid to investment, tax reductions, etc.). Finally, the Commission invites the States to simplify the administrative procedures for the sector, for example, measures relating to acquiring a permit to build a cogeneration plant.
Use of electricity network: Member States must ensure that the managers of transport and distribution networks also guarantee the transport and distribution of electricity produced by cogeneration, and facilitate access for electricity produced on the basis of renewable energies. The cost of connection and related tariffs must be fixed according to objective, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria. The same is true for the purchase price of back-up electricity needed by the cogenerators. In order to survey all these tariff questions, the Member States are designating a body also responsible for comparing tariffs and conditions offered to cogenerators.
Two years after the entry into force of the directive and then every three years, the Member States should publish a report on progress made in increasing the share of high output cogeneration and on the obstacles that prevent its further development. On the basis of these reports, the Commission may decide to establish national indicative objectives.