At the same time, the council of ministers – equivalent to a cabinet - also has extended the concession period for the two offshore arrays to 22 years from the 20 years previously granted.

"The revision of the [support] mechanism ensures a saving of more than €1bn ($1.12bn)," energy minister Marie Christine Marghem said.

"We avoid excessive subsidies and at the same time provide the support needed for the development of renewable energy."

The