The government has approved new renewable energy sources (RES) subsidy schemes, which mainly aim to boost photovoltaics and biomass, it was announced yesterday.
“I believe that with the momentum we have gained recently and the new schemes, we can reach 20 per cent (of energy from RES) by 2020, which is the (general) target set by the EU,” Commerce and Industry Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis told reporters.
The minister said the current share from wind power is around 5.5 per cent “and it is time we give a bigger push to photovoltaics”.
The new schemes concern small units for household and commercial purposes and larger ones that will be licensed following an auction.
The cabinet approved a €0.28 per Kilowatt subsidy for household units up to seven kW, and €0.25/kW for small commercial units up to 150kW.
The minister said most of the applications have been already approved and there will not be any delays.
The price for the larger units – between 150kW and 10MW – will be set through an auction, the minister said.
“This was done because photovoltaics are cheaper today and larger parks can be set up – up to 10MW – which can be produced at a lower cost,” Sylikiotis said.
The subsidies will be funded through relevant charge on electricity bills.
The minister voiced his conviction that the fund would be viable for the next few years without needing to increase the current charge of €0.0050
“Rather, at some stage in the future we could be speaking of a reduction,” he added.
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