European Commission Okays Belgian Green Certificate Scheme

The European Commission has approved certificates scheme for renewable electricity implemented in Flanders, Belgium, saying that the scheme is in line with EU State aid rules.

In October 2017, Belgium notified the measure to support the development of renewable electricity via the green certificates scheme under which renewable electricity producers receive one green certificate for each MWh they generate.

Renewable electricity producers can then sell their certificates on the market and thereby obtain additional revenues on top of the electricity market price.

The Commission concluded that the scheme will support the production of electricity from renewable energy sources, in line with EU environmental objectives, while any distortion of competition caused by the public support is minimised.

The scheme will help Belgium to meet its 2020 target of producing 13% of its energy needs from renewable sources, the Commission said.