Filenews 29 March 2022
The institution of "One Stop Shop" is promoted by the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, in order to expedite the licensing process of Renewable Energy Sources.
The President of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Member of the Dissy, Kyriakos Hatzigiannis, said that in the context of the discussion of the bill for the promotion and encouragement of the use of RES "we are introducing the one-stop shop, procedures for the very fast licensing of RES", so that the transition to the green era will be much faster than we are used to.
In addition, he said that the "possibility of reversibility" of the origin of the fuel, i.e. where a particular batch comes from, which should be recorded on the proof of payment or purchase, is being promoted. Mr. Hatzigiannis noted that this "will solve many problems, which have to do with environmental criteria, but also with where the fuel is purchased from".
The Mp of DIPA Michalis Giakoumi stated that "we have an obligation as MPs, legislatively to strengthen the tools for further promotion of RES systems".
He added that the creation of a statutory framework for the re-creation of the One Stop Shop is being promoted, "which should not have a simple executive and coordinating role only, but effective and catalytic and the time limit for the issuance of licenses should not exceed 3-6 months, while it should, in case the competent Authority does not answer in 1 month, the One Stop Shop to proceed with the issuance of licenses".
In addition, he mentioned that other measures promoted for the promotion and encouragement of RES, are res (support) plans, Renewable Energy Communities and Certificates of Guarantee of Origin.
"We all owe it to us – as state institutions, more transparently, more fairly and more objectively, in an environment that is competitive, especially on the issue of electricity, to make policies aimed at our non-absolute dependence on fossil fuels (such as diesel and fuel oil), the further penetration of res systems and the tangible reduction of electricity to all of us as consumers", Said.
In the meantime, Mr. Hatzigiannis mentioned that the conversion of DEFA into a Public Company was also discussed in the Committee. "It will solve a very big problem. It is imperative that it is voted on as soon as possible, as well as that the outstanding issues that exist are finally settled," he added. He noted that the biggest outstanding issue concerns the transformation of the employment regime into a public service regime.
He stressed that this pendency cannot perpetuate the resolution of this issue and must be voted on in a month at the latest, "in order to proceed with all the programs that have to do with the arrival of natural gas on the island".
