REAL DECREE 541/1985, OF MARCH 6, PROVIDES IN PARAGRAPH F) OF ITS ARTICLE FIRST THAT THE MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND ENERGY MAY ESTABLISH COMPENSATIONS FOR THE PLANTS THAT CONSUME NATURAL GAS, AS A CONSEQUENCE OF ORDERS FROM THE GOVERNMENT DELEGATION IN THE OPERATION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, OR FOR THE NEEDS OF REDUCING POLLUTING EMISSIONS, TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO MAKE THEIR ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION COMPETITIVE WITH THE ENERGY OF ANOTHER SOURCE, FACILITATING THEIR PRODUCTION PLACING ON THE MARKET OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRICITY SYSTEM AND ITS USE WITH HIGHER PERFORMANCE, AND IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY FOR THE OPERATION OF SUCH A SYSTEM.

THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THESE OBJECTIVES ADVISES TO GIVE PREFERENCE TO THE CONSUMPTION OF GAS, RATHER THAN IMPORTED FUELS OR TO THOSE NATIONALS THAT CAN BE DISPENSED WITHOUT, WITHOUT CAUSING ECONOMIC OR SOCIAL PROBLEMS, AND PROVIDE FOR A RANGE OF COST LIMITS, WHICH ALLOW THE REPLACEMENT OF PRODUCED ENERGY, WITH OTHER FUELS, AT DIFFERENT POINTS OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRICITY SYSTEM, IN A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR THE NATURAL GAS CONSUMER COMPANY AND FOR THE OWNER OF THE PLANT SUBSTITUTED.

IN HIS VIRTUE, THIS MINISTRY HAS HAD WELL TO DISPOSE:

FIRST. THE NATURAL GAS COST LIMITS FOR THERMAL POWER PLANTS WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:

(A) WHEN BEING USED TO REPLACE CLEAN, DOMESTIC OR IMPORTED COAL, SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE CONSUMPTION OF NATIONAL COAL, HIGH IN SULPHUR, 1.75 PESETAS/TH.

B) WHEN THE ENERGY PRODUCED BY GAS REPLACES ENERGY PRODUCED WITH COAL IN OTHER PLANTS, 1,84 PESETA/T.

C) WHEN REPLACING ENERGY PRODUCED WITH FUEL-OIL IN PLANTS IN THE SAME AREA, 2.97 PESETAS/TH.

D) WHEN THE SUBSTITUTION IS OF FUEL OIL OF ANOTHER ZONE, CIRCUMSTANCE, WHICH MUST BE CERTIFIED BY "RED ELECTRIC DE ESPAÑA, S.A.", 2,82 PESETA/TH.

SECOND.-THE OFFICE OF COMPENSATION FOR THE ELECTRIC ENERGY "TRAFFIC" WILL COMPENSATE THE OPERATORS OF PLANTS THAT CONSUME NATURAL GAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PRICE OF THE GAS ACQUIRED AND THE CORRESPONDING COST LIMIT.

THIRD. THE PRESENT MINISTERIAL ORDER WILL BE APPLICABLE TO GAS CONSUMED SINCE THE ENTRY INTO FORCE OF ROYAL DECREE 541/1985 OF 6 MARCH.

FOURTH. THE GENERAL ENERGY DIRECTORATE IS EMPOWERED TO ADJUST THE VALUE REFERRED TO IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH IN THE FUTURE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN FUEL PRICES WHICH COULD BE USED. ALTERNATIVELY IN THE THERMAL POWER STATIONS, OR WHEN THE FUEL PROGRAMMING TO BE USED MAKES IT NECESSARY.

FIFTH. -WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE PREVIOUS PARAGRAPH, IF THE PRICES OF FUEL OIL WERE TO BE MODIFIED FOR THERMAL POWER STATIONS, THIS COST LIMIT WOULD BE PROVISIONALLY VARIED, IN THE SAME PROPORTION AS A MEZCALA OF FUEL-OIL NUMBER 2 AND NUMBER 2 BIA OF 2,7 PER 100 SULPHUR, WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME DATE OF VALIDITY OF THE NEW PRICES, UNTIL A NEW COST LIMIT POG TO BE APPLIED IS EXPRESSLY FIXED BY THE ENERGY DIRECTORATE.

SIXTH. THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF ENERGY WILL DICTATE THE PROVISIONS NECESSARY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THIS MINISTERIAL ORDER.

SEVENTH. THE ORDER OF THIS MINISTRY OF 6 JULY 1984 IS HEREBY REPEALED AS SOON AS THE PROVISIONS OF THIS MINISTERIAL ORDER ARE OPPOSED.

MADRID, MAY 24, 1985. -SOLCHAGA CATALAN.