Romanian Emergency Law Repeal

Traian Basescu sent back to parliament for reconsideration Act deferment of green certificates for renewable energy producers. Reason: Not informed the European Commission

by Claudia PirvoiuHotNews.ro

Tuesday, January 7, 2014 17:17 Economy | Energy

President Traian Basescu urged Act deferment review a number of green certificates for renewable energy producers, Presidential Administration. The reason is the demand was violated an article of the Treaty on European Union, according to which the European Commission "is informed in time to submit comments on any plans to grant or alter aid."

Law passed to approve promulgation Government Emergency Ordinance no. 57/2013 amending and supplementing Law no. 220/2008 on establishing the promotion system for the production of energy from renewable energy law that amended the scheme State SA 33134 2011/N-RO, reads the Presidential Administration.

It shows that under Article 108 (3) of the Treaty on European Union "Commission shall be informed in time to submit comments on any plans to grant or alter aid."

On June 24, 2013 the European Commission sent a letter to the Permanent Representation of the European Commission which indicates that it was not sent any notification as defined in paragraph (3) of Article 108 of the Treaty on the modification of the scheme state . On 3 October 2013, the Commission has returned with a new pre-notification letter which highlights the need, so far unfulfilled obligation by the Romanian Government.

"Thus, we believe that the approval of the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 57/2013, up from its obligations under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Romania is inappropriate and exposes violations of referrals prior to the constituent treaties of the European Union", as cited in statement.

Recall that in December the Parliament turned into law the Emergency Ordinance 57/2013 on the deferment of a number of green certificates for renewable energy producers.

The law provides temporary deferral from 1 July 2013, granting a number of green certificates for each 1 MWh of new hydro power plants installed power less than or equal to 10 MW (green certificate) to wind (a certificate green), and solar power plants (two green certificate).

An important amendment introduced in the law requires "temporarily postponed trading a number of green certificates for each 1 MWh produced and delivered by the producers of electricity from renewable sources accredited by ANRE until 31 December 2013". Originally Emergency Ordinance no indication "31 decemebrie 2013 'and thus delaying applies if the accredited since January 1, 2014.

The draft Emergency Ordinance was approved in June by the Government. normative act aims aa cut of momentum renewable energy producers, they were seen as a threat to conventional energy producers. But the official reason cited by the Government to the necessity of such measures was much impact on the final energy bill. Recovery of green certificates would be made ​​starting with 31.03.2017 for hydro and solar, ie from 01.01.2018 to wind power. "Renewable energy producers opposed these changes threatening to give the government in court.

The European Commission has criticized the Energy Department for the way decided to postpone the granting of green certificates. During a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Energy, ANRE and the Competition Council, DG Competion requested that some changes require notification in terms of rules related to using State, said in a letter to DG Competition sent on June 24 Romanian side. According to her, it was not even sent a pre-notification. Furthermore, the Commission believes it is unfair that the Ministry of Energy (Ed. Minister Constantin Nita) publicly announced on May 23, 2013 that the European authorities had agreed to the amendments contained in the draft ordinance.