Greece backs second renewable-energy tax increase in five months
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 a megawatt-hour from 7.50 euros, the watchdog said in a 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.
[Bloomberg]
