The National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) has decided to increase by 2% the regulated rate of return for energy distributors or transporters, if they access European funds to modernize the network, according to a statement issued by ANRE on Thursday.

“The regulatory committee of ANRE approved in the meeting of 20.01.2021, the orders regarding the modification of the methodologies for establishing the regulated tariffs for the transmission and distribution services of electricity and natural gas. This modification had in mind the stimulation of investments in the network infrastructure for which non-reimbursable European funds can be attracted,” it is shown in the release, according to Agerpres.

Thus, the regulated rate of return applied to investments that will be put into operation starting with February 1, 2021, made by operators through co-financing from European non-reimbursable funds, increases by 2% over the one approved for this regulatory period, which is of 6.39%.

ANRE mentions that accessing European funds is a laborious activity with a high degree of risk regarding the initial acceptance of project funding according to the European Commission’s selection criteria, as well as the subsequent implementation, including the recovery of funds initially advanced by operators.

The granting of this incentive encourages access to European funds for investments in the objectives of the electricity grid/natural gas systems, aimed at implementing European policies for sustainable development, competitive economy and environmental protection through decarbonisation.