Extra RES measures to simplify installation, operating permits

The energy ministry is preparing to include simplification measures it appears to have settled on for the second stage of RES licensing procedures, concerning installation and operating permits, into the one draft bill to also incorporate EU energy efficiency directives being adopted.

The draft bill is expected to be forwarded for public consultation within the next few weeks, prior to Greek Orthodox Easter, in early May.

Public consultation on the energy efficiency EU directives being adopted has already been completed.

The imminent draft bill is not expected to bring about any fundamental changes to the second stage of the RES licensing procedure, as had been the case with a major first-stage change abolishing production licenses, sources have informed.

Instead, a series of revisions will be introduced to remove various obstacles encountered by investors in the maturity process of their projects, the objective being to significantly reduce the time needed for project maturity.

The second-stage RES licensing simplification plan promises to lessen both the number of steps and supporting documents needed for RES installation and operating permits.

The energy ministry also intends to revisit the first stage to implement further improvements, needed to counter the flood of producer certificate applications being submitted to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy.

The government has declared its objective is to reduce the overall RES licensing procedure in Greece to two years, the EU average.