Wind power producers will receive 1.5 green certificates until 2017 for each megawatt of energy they produce and 1.25 green certificates after 2018, according to a decision approved by the government. Currently, wind power producers receive two green certificates until 2017 and one certificate after 2018.
The number of green certificates granted to solar power producers will be reduced from six to three for each megawatt of energy produced, starting January 1, while hydropower producers with installed capacity not exceeding 10 MW will receive 2.3 green certificates instead of three certificates per megawatt of electricity.
Early 2013, the country’s energy market regulator ANRE said renewable energy producers receive too many green certificates in ratio with investment costs in power units and recommended the government should reduce the number of green certificates granted to renewable energy producers.
Besides reducing the number of green certificates, the government also decided to put off, starting July 1, 2013, the granting of a part of green certificates to investors in micro-hydro units, wind power plants and photovoltaic power stations. The measure would be valid until March 2017 for hydropower units and photovoltaic power stations, and until 2018 for wind plants.
Green energy producers receive a number of certificates depending on the generation technology they use and the amount of energy they produce. They sell green certificates to energy suppliers, who must ensure a certain amount of renewable energy for consumers. The number of green certificates they bought indicates whether they met their quota or not. The affair entails expenses for energy suppliers, which transfer them to beneficiaries.