Greece
's energy regulator approved higher
renewable-power taxes for consumers, backing a second increase in five months
to bolster funds at market operator Lagie SA.
The levy, which compensates Lagie for
guaranteeing fixed power prices to clean-energy producers, will rise to an
average 9.30 euros ($12.35) a megawatt-hour from 7.50 euros, the watchdog said
ina statement on its website. The increase is backdated to Jan. 1 and
valid for six months.
Greece
, whose financial crisis began in
2009, has like other European countries introduced a feed-in tariff that pays
renewable-power generators above-market rates for their output. The nation has
fast-tracked solar projects to help revive its economy, which remained in a
recession for a fifth year in 2012.
Household users will now pay 9.53 euros a
megawatt-hour under the tax changes, up from the 8.74-euro charge applied on
Aug. 1, according to the statement.
The difference between the feed-in tariffs and
the prices charged to end-users, which are decided by the Energy Ministry, has
resulted in a deficit of about 280 million euros, according to the Athens-based
regulator. The ministry is seeking to erase that gap by the end of 2014.