The energy minister appears determined to cool off what it sees as an overheated renewable energy market, fearing the relentless, often unrealistic, drive by prospective investors for producer certificates during recent licensing cycles, peaking with last December’s 1,864 applications representing 45.55 GW, will inevitably lead to side effects for the sector.

The ministry is now looking to introduce filters that would limit the processing of applications to those linked with investors possessing the financial means to carry out project plans, and to RES applications that have secured legal possession of required property.

Applicants may need to attach letters of guarantee or other documents proving their financial capability to their producer certificate applications. Such a measure, it is believed, will block the mass inflow of applications submitted by applicants who stand no chance of actualizing their project plans.

A second filter being considered at the ministry would immediately reject applications that do not possess the required land. This measure could be introduced in the form of a preliminary concession agreement concerning property use.

As part of this measure, procedures enabling property owners to block RES license applications submitted by investors who have not been given consent for land they intend to use will most likely be simplified. Under current rules, land owners seeking to reclaim their property need to apply for RES licenses themselves.