natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The United Kingdom also claimed that the trade volumes for industrial wood from the US to the European Union are limited.
Več okoljskih organizacij je izrazilo pomisleke glede vplivov priglašenega projekta na okolje.
In 2013, from a total production of approximately 270 million green tonnes of industrial roundwood, the US exported to the European continent approximately 3,3 million green tonnes [45].
Združeno kraljestvo je potrdilo, da se bo priglašena pomoč odobrila le za biomaso, kakor je opredeljena v odstavku 19(6) smernic za obdobje 2014–2020.
By comparison, in 2013 the European Union imported approximately 31 million green tonnes of roundwood and 15 million green tonnes of woodchip and sawdust, predominantly from other European countries.
Trajnostna merila Združenega kraljestva vsebujejo tudi določbe za preprečevanje drugih negativnih okoljskih učinkov, kot je izguba biotske raznovrstnosti.
There is therefore limited reliance on non-energy raw materials traded from the US to the European Union.
Potreba po posredovanju države, spodbujevalni učinek in ustreznost pomoči
ASSESSMENT OF THE MEASURE
Komisija je v sklepu o začetku postopka ugotovila, da je priglašena pomoč potrebna, ima spodbujevalni učinek in je ustrezen instrument.
A measure constitutes State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the Treaty if it is ‘granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods […] in so far as it affects trade between Member States’.
Ob upoštevanju odstavkov 38, 107 in 115 smernic za obdobje 2014–2020 zlasti opozarja, da veljavni okvir politike ne zadošča za odpravo nedelovanja trga, tj. nezmožnosti popolne vključitve vseh zunanjih učinkov, ki so posledica uporabe fosilnih goriv, v ceno energije, in da brez pomoči za tekoče poslovanje, ki se ocenjuje v tem sklepu, projekt pretvorbe za uporabo biomase ne bi bil finančno izvedljiv.
As set out in the Opening Decision, the beneficiary (Drax Power Limited) will receive operating aid in the form of a variable premium from a government-owned CfD counterparty for the electricity generated by the converted unit.
Združeno kraljestvo je ob upoštevanju odstavkov 49 in 58 smernic za obdobje 2014–2020 dokazalo, da izravnani stroški električne energije, proizvedene v pretvorjeni enoti elektrarne Drax, precej presegajo pričakovano tržno ceno električne energije, predložilo pa je tudi finančno analizo, ki dokazuje, da bi bila interna stopnja donosnosti priglašenega projekta brez pomoči, ki se ocenjuje, negativna.
The measure favours the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources (in this case biomass) by the selected beneficiary.
Akterji na trgu v takih okoliščinah ne bi hoteli vlagati v projekt pretvorbe elektrarne Drax za uporabo biomase.
Electricity is widely traded between Member States.
Zaradi priglašene pomoči bi se torej ravnanje upravičenca spremenilo.
The notified measure may therefore distort competition on the electricity market and affect trade between the Member States.
Združeno kraljestvo je potrdilo, da je moral upravičenec predložiti obrazce za zaprosilo in da so bili ti obrazci za zaprosilo v skladu z odstavkom 51 smernic za obdobje 2014–2020 predloženi pred začetkom dela na priglašenem projektu.
The Commission concludes that the notified measure constitutes State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the Treaty [46].
Kot je pojasnjeno v sklepu o začetku postopka, izravnani stroški električne energije presegajo pričakovano tržno ceno električne energije, pričakovana interna stopnja donosnosti pa bi bila brez državne pomoči negativna.
Legality of the aid
Da bi Združeno kraljestvo zagotovilo zadostne prihodke za financiranje pretvorbe enote elektrarne Drax za uporabo biomase, namerava dodeliti državno pomoč, ki je usmerjena zlasti v zadevni projekt in upošteva njegove potrebe, ne da bi bila presežena minimalna stopnja donosa.
On the basis of the information provided by the United Kingdom, the Commission notes that no final investment decision has yet been taken and that no payments will be made before State aid approval has been obtained.
Priglašeni projekt je bil izbran med več drugimi projekti, da bi se z dodelitvijo pomoči za tekoče poslovanje v obliki pogodbe na razliko dosegli cilji Unije v zvezi z energijo iz obnovljivih virov [50].
The Commission considers therefore that the United Kingdom has fulfilled its obligations under Article 108(3) of the Treaty.
Komisija je v sklepu v zadevi SA.36196 (2014/N), Reforma trga električne energije v Združenem kraljestvu – Pogodba na razliko za obnovljive vire energije, C(2014) 5079 final [51] sklenila, da je pogodba na razliko ustrezen instrument za uresničitev cilja skupnega interesa.
Compatibility of the aid
Komisija zato ugotavlja, da je pomoč za priglašeni projekt potrebna, ima spodbujevalni učinek in je dodeljena z ustreznim instrumentom.
The Commission notes that the notified measure aims at promoting the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources, namely from solid biomass.
Sorazmernost
The notified measure falls within the scope of the Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy 2014-2020 (EEAG) [47].
Komisija je spomnila, da je Združeno kraljestvo za izravnane stroške električne energije za take projekte biomase na podlagi 10-odstotne stopnje donosa izračunalo, da znašajo vsaj 105 BGP/MWh [52].
The Commission has therefore assessed the notified measure in accordance with the general compatibility provisions, set out in Section 3.2 of the EEAG and in accordance with the specific compatibility criteria for operating aid granted for electricity from renewable energy sources, set out in Section 3.3.2.1 of the EEAG.
Komisija meni, da so izravnani stroški električne energije ustrezni za to vrsto projekta, saj so bili stroški že potrjeni v prejšnjih sklepih [53].
Objective of common interest
Združeno kraljestvo je dokazalo, da priglašena pomoč na enoto energije ne presega razlike med izravnanimi stroški električne energije in pričakovano tržno ceno električne energije, saj izvršilna cena, v kateri sta upoštevani tržna cena in premija ter ki je določena na 100 GBP/MWh, ne presega izravnanih stroškov električne energije [54].
As concluded in the Opening Decision, the Commission notes that the aim of the notified aid measure is to help the United Kingdom achieve the renewable energy targets [48] and the CO2 reduction objectives set by the Union as part of its EU 2020 strategy [49].
Poleg tega je potrdilo, da se bo priglašena pomoč dodeljevala, dokler naložba ne bo v celoti amortizirana v skladu z običajnimi računovodskimi pravili, in da se poleg priglašene pomoči ne bo dodelila nobena druga pomoč.
As described in recital 9, and in accordance with paragraphs 30, 31 and 33(a) of the EEAG, the United Kingdom explicitly estimated the CO2 savings and renewable electricity generation capacity expected from the notified project.
Minimalna stopnja donosa priglašenega projekta je med 8,8 % in 12,7 % na realni osnovi pred obdavčitvijo [55], kar je Komisija sprejela v sklepu o začetku postopka.
The Commission concludes that the notified aid measure is aimed at an objective of common interest in accordance with Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty.
Skladna je bila s stopnjami, ki jih je pred tem Komisija odobrila za projekte biomase v Združenem kraljestvu [56].
A number of environmental organisations raised concerns about the environmental effects of the notified project.
Komisija bo v tem sklepu ocenila, ali je interna stopnja donosnosti projekta v skladu z minimalno stopnjo donosa.
The United Kingdom confirmed that the notified aid will only be granted to biomass, as defined in paragraph 19(6) of the EEAG.
Komisija je v sklepu o začetku postopka izrazila pomisleke, da se zaradi državne pomoči ne bi izplačalo prekomerno nadomestilo na podlagi analize občutljivosti, ki jo je predložilo Združeno kraljestvo [57].
The Commission recalls that the notified aid will help the United Kingdom to reach the Union climate and energy targets for 2020.
Če bi se toplotni izkoristek in faktor obremenitve povečala za 5 %, stroški goriva pa znižali za 5 %, bi se interna stopnja donosnosti na realni osnovi pred obdavčitvijo z ocenjenih 4,7 % povišala na več kot 15,6 %.
In addition, the Commission notes that the wood pellets to be used by the Drax biomass conversion plant will be required to satisfy the United Kingdom's own sustainability criteria, including minimum CO2 savings calculated on a life cycle basis.
Komisija je opozorila na negotovosti v navedenih predpostavkah in zlasti zmanjšani faktor obremenitve v nekaj letih obratovanja zaradi pomislekov glede logistike oskrbe z lesnimi peleti in višine stroškov goriva (ker pogodbe za dobavo niso pokrile celotnih potreb po oskrbi enote na biomaso).
The United Kingdom's sustainability criteria also contain provisions to avoid other negative environmental effects, such as loss of biodiversity.
Združeno kraljestvo je po objavi sklepa o začetku postopka predložilo posodobljene informacije o priglašenem projektu, zlasti pa je pregledalo in posodobilo obratovalne parametre.
Need for State intervention, incentive effect and appropriateness of the aid
Na podlagi teh posodobljenih informacij je zdaj interna stopnja donosnosti za priglašeni projekt na realni osnovi pred obdavčitvijo [4–12]-odstotna, kar je v skladu z minimalno stopnjo donosa.
The Commission concluded in its Opening Decision that the notified aid is necessary, that it has an incentive effect and that it is an appropriate instrument.
Kot je opisano v uvodni izjavi 11, je Združeno kraljestvo po objavi sklepa o začetku postopka izločilo nizke bruto faktorje obremenitve, ki so se upoštevali, povprečni neto faktor obremenitve pa je z 71 % povečalo na 78 %.
In particular, with reference to paragraphs 38, 107, 115 of the EEAG, the Commission notes that the market failures, namely the failure to fully include all externalities generated by the use of fossil fuels in the price of energy, are not sufficiently addressed by the existing policy framework and that in the absence of the operating aid under assessment in this Decision, the biomass conversion project would not be financially viable.
Novi faktor obremenitve je utemeljilo s primerjavo z drugimi podobnimi elektrarnami.
With reference to paragraphs 49 and 58 of the EEAG, the United Kingdom showed that the LCOE generated in the Drax converted unit are well above the expected electricity market price and they also provided a financial analysis demonstrating that without the aid under assessment, the IRR of the notified project would be negative.
Komisija ugotavlja, da je povečanje večje, kot je bilo predvideno v analizi občutljivosti, in da je ocenjeni 78-odstotni faktor obremenitve zdaj v skladu s faktorjem, ugotovljenim v primerljivih elektrarnah [58].
In such a situation, market players would not want to invest in the Drax biomass conversion project.
S spremembo faktorja obremenitve so se odpravili tudi pomisleki tretjih strani glede izračuna nizkega faktorja obremenitve [59].
The notified aid therefore would change the beneficiary's behaviour.
Družba RES Ltd. je opozorila, da bi bil lahko na podlagi konkurenčnega postopka za zbiranje ponudb na podlagi splošnih izkušenj s tovrstnimi postopki potreben nižji znesek pomoči [60].
The United Kingdom confirmed that the beneficiary was required to submit applications and that these applications were submitted before work on the notified project commenced, in compliance with paragraph 51 of the EEAG.
Komisija ugotavlja, da konkurenčni postopek za zbiranje ponudb ni potreben in da se zaradi sedanjega ukrepa ne bo izplačalo prekomerno nadomestilo.
With reference to paragraphs 40 and 116 of the EEAG, the United Kingdom showed that the notified aid is an appropriate instrument.
Kar zadeva stroške goriva, kot je navedeno v sklepu o začetku postopka, Komisija priznava, da se oskrba z lesnimi peleti za priglašeni projekt večinoma zagotavlja na podlagi dolgoročnih pogodb, pri katerih so lahko cene višje od cen na promptnem trgu.
As explained in the Opening Decision, the LCOE are above the expected electricity market price and the expected IRR, without State aid, would be negative.
Vendar je Komisija opozorila na negotovosti, ki so še vedno obstajale, saj se z veljavnimi pogodbami za dobavo na datum sprejetja sklepa o začetku postopka niso pokrile celotne potrebe priglašenega projekta.
In order to address the lack of sufficient revenues to fund the conversion to biomass of a unit at the Drax plant, the United Kingdom intends to grants State aid, that is particularly targeted and that addresses the needs of the project without exceeding the hurdle rate.
Združeno kraljestvo je podrobno pojasnilo stroške goriva pri zagotavljanju zadostnih zalog lesnih peletov in posodobilo svoje ocene stroškov goriva.
The notified project was selected among several others for the purpose of achieving the Union renewable energy targets [50], through the award of operating aid in the form of a CfD.
Dokumentacija, ki jo je predložilo Združeno kraljestvo, je vključevala tudi podrobno razčlenitev glavnih stroškovnih elementov v dobavni verigi pretvorjene enote elektrarne Drax za uporabo biomase, vključno s stroški, povezanimi z gorivom, kot so stroški izkoriščanja pristanišča, železniški prevoz, skladiščenje, certifikacija trajnosti, zavarovanje in menjava valute.
The Commission in its decision in case SA.36196 (2014/N), United Kingdom Electricity Market Reform — Contract for Difference for Renewables C(2014) 5079 final) [51], concluded that the CfD is an appropriate instrument for realising the objective of common interest.
Po mnenju neodvisnih strokovnjakov, ki ga je prav tako predložilo Združeno kraljestvo, so povprečni stroški goriva, ocenjeni za pretvorjeno enoto elektrarne Drax za uporabo biomase, v cenovnem razponu dobaviteljev lesnih peletov v ZDA [62].
Therefore, the Commission concludes that the aid for the notified project is necessary, that it has an incentive effect and that it is granted by means of an appropriate instrument.
V posodobljenih stroških goriva se upošteva cena lesnih peletov (CIF) v višini 181 USD/tono, kar je tudi v skladu z oceno družbe RISI [63].
Proportionality
Združeno kraljestvo je v podporo trditvi glede toplotnega izkoristka predložilo podatke, ki dokazujejo, da bi se lahko toplotni izkoristek tovrstnega projekta pretvorbe za uporabo biomase povečal za približno 38–39 %.
The Commission recalls that the LCOE for such biomass projects, based on a rate of return of 10 %, was calculated by the United Kingdom as being at least 105 GBP/MWh [52].
Komisija ugotavlja, da v zvezi s tem v sklepu o začetku postopka niso bili izraženi nobeni posebni pomisleki, in meni, da je stopnja izkoristka v skladu z običajnimi stopnjami izkoristka, ugotovljenimi v primerljivih elektrarnah [64].
The Commission considers the LCOE appropriate for this type of project as the cost has already been confirmed in previous decisions [53].
Interna stopnja donosnosti za priglašeni projekt se je spremenila zaradi številnih dejavnikov, vključno z izgubo približno enoletne pomoči, saj se bo predlagana pogodba o naložbi iztekla 31. marca 2027 ne glede na začetni datum ukrepa, pa tudi zaradi neugodnih sprememb menjalnega tečaja.
The United Kingdom demonstrated that the notified aid per unit of energy does not exceed the difference between the LCOE and the expected market price of electricity, as the strike price, reflecting the market price plus the premium, set at 100 GBP/MWh does not exceed the LCOE [54].
Interna stopnja donosnosti je torej višja od 4,7 %, kakor je bila ocenjena v prvotni priglasitvi Komisiji.
Furthermore, the United Kingdom confirmed that the notified aid will continue to be granted until the investment is depreciated according to normal accounting rules and that the notified aid will not be cumulated with any other aid.
Razlika je posledica spremenjenih ocen obratovalnih parametrov elektrarne.
The hurdle rate for the notified project is between 8,8 % and 12,7 % on a real, pre-tax basis [55] and this was accepted by the Commission in its Opening Decision.
Komisija ob upoštevanju navedenega meni, da ocenjena interna stopnja donosnosti priglašenega projekta temelji na zanesljivih ocenah stroškov in obratovalnih parametrov elektrarne.
In the Opening Decision, the Commission expressed doubts that the State aid would not lead to overcompensation based on a sensitivity analysis provided by the United Kingdom [57].
Preprečevanje neupravičenih negativnih učinkov na konkurenco in trgovino
The IRR, on pre-tax real basis, would have increased from the estimated 4,7 % to over 15,6 % if the thermal efficiency and the load factor were to increase by 5 % and fuel costs were to decrease by 5 %.
Komisija mora pri ocenjevanju združljivosti ukrepa državne pomoči ugotoviti, da so „negativni učinki ukrepa pomoči v smislu izkrivljanja konkurence in vpliva na trgovino med državami članicami omejeni in manjši od pozitivnih učinkov v smislu prispevka k cilju skupnega interesa“ [65].
The Commission noted the uncertainties in those assumptions and in particular the reduced load factor during some years of operation, due to logistic concerns with the supply of wood pellets, and the level of the fuel costs (since supply contracts did not cover the entire supply requirements of the biomass unit).
Komisija ob upoštevanju odstavkov 94, 95 in 96 smernic za obdobje 2014–2020 meni, da priglašeni ukrep ne povzroča očitnih negativnih učinkov, saj je pomoč sorazmerna in ne vodi le v preselitev dejavnosti brez okoljskega učinka.
Following the Opening Decision, the United Kingdom submitted updated information about the notified project and in particular it reviewed and updated the operating parameters.
Pomoč bo enoti elektrarne Drax pomagala pri prehodu s premoga na biomaso, s čimer se bo v Združenem kraljestvu povečal delež energije iz obnovljivih virov [66].
On the basis of that updated information the IRR for the notified project is now approximately [4-12] % on a pre-tax real basis which is in line with the hurdle rate.
Da bi Komisija ocenila negativne učinke ukrepa pomoči, se je osredotočila na izkrivljanja, ki izhajajo iz predvidljivega učinka, ki bi ga pomoč imela na konkurenco na prizadetih proizvodnih trgih in lokacijo gospodarske dejavnosti [67].
As described in recital 11, the United Kingdom eliminated the low gross load factors that had been included and increased the mean net load factor from 71 % to 78 % following the Opening Decision.
Negativni učinki na trg električne energije
The United Kingdom substantiated the new load factor on the basis of a comparison with other similar plants.
Pomoč se dodeli za proizvodnjo električne energije iz obnovljivih virov energije, zato je prizadeti proizvodni trg trg električne energije.
The Commission notes that the increase is larger than was assumed in the sensitivity analysis and that the estimated load factor of 78 % is now in line with what was observed in comparable plants [58].
Komisija s sklicevanjem na odstavek 89 smernic za obdobje 2014–2020 opredeljuje dve glavni vrsti morebitnega izkrivljanja, ki ga lahko povzroči pomoč, in sicer izkrivljanje proizvodnega trga in učinke na lokacijo.
The revision of the load factor also addresses concerns submitted by third parties about the calculation of the low load factor [59].
Komisija s sklicevanjem na odstavek 101 smernic za obdobje 2014–2020 ugotavlja, da projekt obsega dodatno predelavo enote obstoječe elektrarne na premog.
RES Ltd advised that a competitive bidding process could have resulted in a lower aid amount being required based on the general experience with bidding processes [60].
Projekt zajema preoblikovanje obstoječe elektrarne, zato se ne bo povečala zmogljivost proizvodnje upravičenca na trgu električne energije.
The Commission notes that a competitive bidding process is not required and that the current measure does not lead to overcompensation.
Zaradi ukrepa se torej ne bo povečal delež upravičenca na trgu proizvodnje električne energije.
With regard to the fuel costs, as stated in the Opening Decision, the Commission recognises that the wood pellet supply for the notified project is largely procured by long term contracts where prices may be higher than the spot prices.
Poleg tega Komisija opozarja, da zmogljivost proizvodnje električne energije pretvorjene enote elektrarne Drax za uporabo biomase ustreza približno 1,1 % trga proizvodnje električne energije v Združenem kraljestvu.
However, the Commission noted that there were still uncertainties as the existing supply contracts at the date of adoption of the Opening Decision did not cover the entire supply required for the notified project.
Ukrep torej ne bo imel negativnega učinka v smislu povečanja tržne moči upravičenca.
The United Kingdom explained in detail the fuel costs of sufficient supplies of wood pellets and updated their fuel costs estimates.
Komisija ob sklicevanju na odstavke 94 do 96 smernic za obdobje 2014–2020 meni, da projekt ne vključuje preselitve dejavnosti in da tudi ne bi znatno vplival na konkurenco na trgu proizvodnje električne energije v Združenem kraljestvu.
The fuel costs were reduced from 8,40 USD/GJ to 8,18 USD/GJ, beyond the 5 % sensitivity analysis of 8,23 USD/GJ.
Zato meni, da ukrep ne bi bistveno vplival na konkurenco na trgu električne energije.
The United Kingdom submitted that the fuel costs estimates are now based on more long term contracts addressing most of the wood pellet requirements as well as estimates for future supply contracts and future spot prices [61].
Poleg tega priglašena pomoč zaradi stopnje medsebojne povezljivosti v Združenem kraljestvu ne bo škodljivo vplivala na trgovinske pogoje na notranjem trgu električne energije.
The documentation provided by the United Kingdom included also a detailed breakdown of the main cost elements in the Drax biomass conversion unit's supply chain including fuel related costs such as port utilisation, rail transport, storage, sustainability certification, hedging and currency exchange.
Komisija je v sklepu o začetku postopka dvomila o tem, ali priglašeni projekt izkrivlja konkurenco na trgu lesnih peletov in predhodnem trgu surovin v obsegu, ki je v nasprotju s skupnim interesom.
According to the opinion of independent experts, also submitted by the United Kingdom, the average fuel costs estimated for the Drax biomass conversion unit are within the price range of US wood pellet suppliers [62].
Glede na posebne značilnosti tega individualno priglašenega projekta je analizo razširila na posredne učinke na trge vhodnih surovin, ki so v tem primeru sekundarni trgi (glej v nadaljevanju).
The updated fuels costs reflect a wood pellet price (CIF) of 181 USD per tonne which is also in line with the estimate by RISI [63].
Negativni učinki na trg lesnih peletov
In order to substantiate the thermal efficiency claim, the United Kingdom provided data demonstrating that the thermal efficiency of this type of biomass conversion project could increase by approximately 38 % to 39 %.
Komisija najprej ugotavlja, da bo zadevna enota elektrarne Drax kot vhodno gorivo lahko uporabljala le industrijske lesne pelete.
The Commission notes that no specific doubts were raised in this respect in the Opening Decision and it considers that the efficiency rate is in line with the typical efficiency rates observed in comparable plants [64].
Nekatere elektrarne bi lahko lesne pelete delno nadomestile z drugimi gorivi, vendar se glede na zasnovo enote elektrarne Drax ne pričakuje, da bo lahko lesne pelete nadomestila z drugimi proizvodi.
Finally, the IRR for the notified project has changed as a consequence of a number of factors including the loss of approximately 1 year of aid as the proposed investment contract will end on 31 March 2027 irrespective of the start date of the measure and also due to unfavourable foreign exchange rate developments.
Zato je za nadaljnjo analizo obsega izkrivljanja konkurence in trgovine zaradi pomoči za tekoče poslovanje, dodeljene za električno energijo, ki jo proizvede predelana enota elektrarne Drax, ustrezen proizvodni trg trg industrijskih lesnih peletov.