A new legislative provision for the transfer, into the RES special account, of a 100.5 million-euro sum raised by a carbon tax imposed on diesel has been interpreted by market officials as an initial measure taken by authorities so that an increase of a RES-supporting ETMEAR surcharge included in electricity bills can be avoided.

Fears of the RES special account’s return to deficit territory have raised concerns at RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, which has relayed its unease to the energy ministry and DAPEEP, the RES market operator, energypress sources informed.

RAE, needing to decide on the RES-supporting ETMEAR surcharge level for 2023 by the end of December, has asked the energy ministry for an update on any possible related action.

The imposition, in August, of a price cap at 85 euros per MWh on RES producers has begun nibbling away at the RES special account’s surplus. This unfavorable development has been confirmed by a DAPEEP report, just released, for July and August.

The RES special account recorded a deficit of 51.11 million euros in August, when the price cap on green energy producers was imposed, the DAPEEP report showed.

The operator has projected more monthly deficits until the end of the year. It forecasts a deficit of 47.18 million euros in September, 41.06 million euros in October, 17.92 million euros in November, and 8.86 million euros in December.

However, an accumulated surplus of 447.57 million euros up until August will enable the RES special account to end the year with a surplus of 134.44 million euros, according to DAPEEP.