The Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekas, presented today the main axes of the draft law for the modernization of the licensing process of RES projects and the institutional framework for the development of electricity generation and storage projects to the Standing Committee on Production and Trade of the Parliament.
Mr. Skrekas referred to the importance of the bill for the acceleration of the green transition and the independence from the imports of Russian fossil fuels at this critical time. He also stressed that the new draft law will help reduce energy costs for households and businesses and strengthen the country’s energy security and competitiveness.
The bill includes, inter alia, the following provisions:
Temporary Reimbursement Mechanism of Part of Next Day Market Revenue
– The institutional intervention of the Government in the wholesale market of electricity, puts an end to the production of increased revenues for the producers of electricity.
-The Energy Transition Fund will be strengthened with over 1.6 billion euros by the end of the year for the continuation of subsidies.
Arrangements to strengthen the security of the country’s gas supply
– Issues are being regulated for the lease, by DESFA, of a liquefied natural gas ship in order to increase the storage capacity of the station in Revythousa.
Simplification of the licensing process of RES projects
–The stages of the licensing process are reduced from 7 to 5 and the licensing time of the projects is reduced to 14 months, from 5 years today.
-The cases where the modification of the licenses is required are reduced and we give the possibility of simple updating of the investors’ files.
-Investors are obliged, within 12 months from the Final Connection Offer, to proceed with the issuance of the Installation Permit.
– Sanctions are imposed on the Administrators by RAE, in case of delays.
Institutional framework for energy storage stations
– The licensing procedure for the installation of individual electricity storage stations is reformed.
– Provisions are introduced regarding the licensing of RES and SITHYA generating stations with integrated electricity storage.
Increase of capacity in the electricity network for the integration of new RES units
– HEDNO will examine the available power margins in its substations in order to free up space of at least 10 MW in each.
-The new margins will be available for self-production and energy offset for households, businesses and farmers.
Pilot framework for floating photovoltaics
–Arrangements are introduced for the new innovative technology, which determine the development framework of the Pilot Marine Photovoltaic Stations.
The period of validity of the Environmental Terms Approval Decisions (A.E.P.O.) is redefined
-The duration of the existing AEPO is extended by a simple submission of a responsible declaration until the completion of fifteen years from their issuance.
The same applies to the AEPOs that have expired, if fifteen years have not passed and there have been no substantial changes in the environmental impact.
“The bill we are discussing today is a major milestone in achieving our ambitious goals for the green transition,” said Environment and Energy Minister Costas Skrekas, adding: “Greece shares the common European vision and accelerates Transforming its economy in a more sustainable direction We create the appropriate legal framework to enhance our country’s energy competitiveness, dependence on imported fossil fuels and tackle climate change.
The rich solar and wind potential that our country has is a great competitive advantage in relation to the countries of Northern Europe that we must utilize. Increasing the penetration of RES is the only and permanent solution to reduce energy costs, on a stable basis, for our fellow citizens. The legislative initiative of RIS is an important step for the establishment of Greece as a hub of green energy, while it contributes to the support of the society against the explosive increases of energy prices, at the same time strengthening the energy security of the country “.
Source: Capital
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