Commission approves Greek auction scheme for renewable electricity

Further information:

Under the scheme, a set of regular, competitive auctions are to take place, aiming to grant support to renewable energy sources. It includes separate auctions for wind and solar installations in 2018 to determine their market potential and again in 2019 to increase competition and reduce the cost for consumers of renewable energy in Greece.

The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular the 2014 Guidelines on State Aid for Environmental Protection and Energy. It concluded that the Greek auctioning scheme boosts the share of electricity produced from renewable energy sources, in line with EU environmental objectives, while any distortion of competition caused by the state support is minimised.

Background information:

This decision followed the Commission's decision of November 2016 which approved a support scheme for the production of electricity from renewable energy sources and high efficiency cogeneration in Greece.

The European Commission concluded on 4 January 2018 that an auction scheme put forward by Greek authorities for the production of electricity from renewable sources and high efficiency cogeneration is in line with EU State aid rules.