The energy ministry is working on a plan to change the status of a RES-supporting ETMEAR surcharge included in electricity bills from regulated to competitive by having it incorporated into the pricing policy of suppliers, the objective being to reduce the burden of this surcharge for consumers.

The initiative represents part of the ministry’s wider effort to restructure the RES special account, remunerating renewable energy producers.

The anticipated reduction of the ETMEAR level is expected to be offset by revenues that will be generated by green certificates to be auctioned off by DAPEEP, the RES market operator, a plan taking its cue from a formula adopted in a number of EU member states, including the Netherlands and Poland.

Green certificate revenues could reach as much as 600 million euros per year, energypress sources informed.

Under the new system, suppliers will need to purchase a minimum number of green certificates in proportion with their sales, securing a revenue source for the RES special account.

DAPEEP will no longer need to collect revenues from consumers, instead collecting from suppliers through the new mechanism.