The European Commission has adopted today, 9 April 2014, the new Environmental and Energy State Aid Guidelines (EEAG). The new EEAG will replace the former 2008 Guidelines, and will cover the period 2014-2020.
Among the novelties contained by teh new Guidelines, are:
- Extended scope of application - The Guidelines apply not only to environmental protection, but also to energy, and in particular: energy infrastructure projects, generation adequacy measures (capacity mechanisms) and energy intensive users.
- Simplified assessment criteria - Some of the criteria, when already covered by former Guidelines, are simplified. This concerns for example energy efficiency and cogeneration of heat and power.
- Updated rules for supporting renewable energies - This has to be seen with the highly debatted review and possible coordination of national support schemes for renewables.
Next formal steps:
- formal adoption in May 2014
- entry into force: 1 July 2014
Forthcoming substantial work, according to the Commission:
"From 1 July 2014, the Commission will assess new and pending notified State aid measures according to the criteria set out in the new Guidelines. Member States have one year from the publication of the guidelines in the EU Official Journal to bring existing aid schemes in line with the new guidelines, except for schemes for operating aid for renewable sources and cogeneration, which only need to be brought in line if they are prolonged or adapted.
From 1 January 2016, support to new renewable energy installations should gradually start being based on market conditions."
Documents:
- Environmental and Energy State Aid Guidelines, as adopted on 09.04.2014
- Press release, IP/14/400 of 09.04.2014
- Frequently Asked Questions, MEMO/14/276 of 09.04.2014
- Introductory remarks on new guidelines on state aid for environmental protection and energy for the period 2014-2020, SPEECH/14/311, by Joaquín Almunia, Vice President of the European Commission responsible for Competition policy, 09.04.2014.
A detailed analysis of the Guidelines will be made available soon on this blog.
Picture: Vice-President Joaquín Almunia, Commissioner in charge of Competition policy, (c) European Union 1995-2014
Picture: Vice-President Joaquín Almunia, Commissioner in charge of Competition policy, (c) European Union 1995-2014
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