Commission approves Belgian certificates schemes for renewable electricity and high-efficiency cogeneration in Flanders

Background and further information:

Belgium notified in October 2017 two measures to support the development of renewable electricity and high-efficiency cogeneration in the region of Flanders:

+ Under the green certificates scheme, renewable electricity producers receive one green certificate for each MWh they generate;

+ Under the combined heat and power (CHP) certificates scheme, high-efficiency cogeneration installations receive one certificate for each MWh of energy saving they realise.

Renewable electricity producers and high-efficiency cogeneration installations can then sell their certificates on the market and thereby obtain additional revenues on top of the electricity market price.

The Commission concluded the two schemes contribute to reaching EU energy and climate goals whilst preserving competition.

The European Commission concluded on 16 February 2018 that certificates schemes for renewable electricity and high-efficiency cogeneration implemented in Flanders (Belgium) are in line with EU State aid rules.