Alongside long-term political commitments and robust administrative planning, a successful decarbonisation of the energy sector requires supportive measures, of which some may qualify as State aid. For the ‘Coal-to-Clean Transition’ these may include: compensation for the closure of coal facilities; efforts to achieving a fair and just transition in regions hitherto dependent on coal mining or coal use; and adequate interventions to ensure security of electricity supply. The conference of 14 November 2019 highlighted that a precise scrutiny of State aid aspects of these politically-sensitive measures by the Commission is required to ensure certainty for Member States, operators and the general public alike.
Keywords: Just transition; Capacity mechanisms; Compensations; Coal phase-out; Energy transition.