Concern over renewed revision of offshore support

摘要

Belgium is revising its offshore support mechanism in the face of consumer concerns over increasing electricity bills. The industry is cautiously accepting of the changes, but waiting for further details. While the guaranteed price remains the same, at €l38/MWh, under the new proposals it will only be available to projects reaching financial close by end 2016 and limited to 3,500 full load hours (FLH) a year. For projects expecting to operate more than those full-load hours, as declared at the time of financial close, the rate will then fall "at an average proportional to €2 per 100 hours a year". Projects reaching financial close from January 2017 will receive €l32/MWh for 3,800 FLH, with the same reduction applied for any additional hours. "The aim is to stimulate technological innovation without disadvantaging the consumer," the energy ministry said, estimating that, once the five projects currently being developed are constructed, consumer savings would be around €50 million a year.