The latest data published by power grid operator Transelectrica (TEL.RO), show green power producers did not receive about 1.1 million green certificates in July-September for the clean energy delivered to the system.
The trading price per certificate on energy exchange OPCOM in the analyzed interval stood at about EUR40 so the total amount the renewable power companies have to recover is EUR45 million for the three months since the government changed the green power support scheme.
The companies should get it in 2017 at the earliest (solar power) and 2018 (wind power) but not less than 2020.
Where did this debt come from? Pressured by the major electricity consumers, the government found itself forced to adjust the support scheme for clean energy producers as of July 1, as many thought it was too generous. The scheme caused households and industrial consumers to pay higher electricity bills and, on the other hand, has attracted more than EUR4 billion investments since 2009.
As the major consumers threatened to reduce or even relocate operations, the government decided to adjust the support scheme by delaying the granting of some of the green certificates due until 2017-2020.
Green power producers got about 8 million certificates in the first nine months of the year, according to Transelectrica data, which were worth EUR360 million, if calculating the amount at an average price of EUR45 per certificate.
A total of 340 renewable energy producers running wind farms, solar parks, biomass power plants or small hydropower plants got certificates. The eligible power plants had an installed capacity of almost 3,400 MW.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)