+EUROPOS PARLAMENTO IR TARYBOS REGLAMENTAS (EB) Nr. 663/2009 2009 m. liepos 13 d. dėl ekonomikos gaivinimo, teikiant Bendrijos finansinę paramą energetikos srities projektams, programos sukūrimo
---+I SKYRIUS
------+1 straipsnis Dalykas
------+2 straipsnis Sąvokų apibrėžtys
------+3 straipsnis Biudžetas
---------+Article 3 1.
---------+Article 3 2.
---------+Article 3 3.
---+II SKYRIUS
------+SECTION 1 Gas and electricity infrastructure projects
---------+4 straipsnis Tikslai
---------+5 straipsnis Prioritetai
---------+6 straipsnis Bendrijos finansinės paramos teikimas
------------+Article 6 1.
------------+Article 6 2.
------------+Article 6 3.
---------+7 straipsnis Atitiktis finansavimo reikalavimams
------------+Article 7 1.
------------+Article 7 2.
------------+Article 7 3.
---------+8 straipsnis Atrankos ir finansavimo skyrimo kriterijai
------------+Article 8 1.
------------+Article 8 2.
---------+9 straipsnis Finansavimo sąlygos
------------+Article 9 1.
------------+Article 9 2.
---------+10 straipsnis Priemonės
------------+Article 10 1.
------------+Article 10 2.
---------+11 straipsnis Valstybių narių finansiniai įsipareigojimai
------------+Article 11 1.
------------+Article 11 2.
------+SECTION 2 Offshore wind projects
---------+12 straipsnis EEPEG paramos teikimas
------------+Article 12 1.
------------+Article 12 2.
------------+Article 12 3.
---------+13 straipsnis Atitiktis finansavimo reikalavimams
------------+Article 13 1.
------------+Article 13 2.
------------+Article 13 3.
---------+14 straipsnis Atrankos ir finansavimo skyrimo kriterijai
------------+Article 14 1.
------------+Article 14 2.
---------+15 straipsnis Finansavimo sąlygos
------------+Article 15 1.
------------+Article 15 2.
---------+16 straipsnis Priemonės
------------+Article 16 1.
------------+Article 16 2.
------+SECTION 3 Carbon capture and storage projects
---------+17 straipsnis EEPEG paramos teikimas
------------+Article 17 1.
------------+Article 17 2.
------------+Article 17 3.
------------+Article 17 4.
---------+18 straipsnis Atitiktis finansavimo reikalavimams
------------+Article 18 1.
------------+Article 18 2.
------------+Article 18 3.
---------+19 straipsnis Atrankos ir finansavimo skyrimo kriterijai
------------+Article 19 1.
------------+Article 19 2.
---------+20 straipsnis Finansavimo sąlygos
------------+Article 20 1.
------------+Article 20 2.
---------+21 straipsnis Priemonės
------------+Article 21 1.
------------+Article 21 2.
---+CHAPTER IIa FINANCIAL FACILITY
------+21a straipsnis Lėšos, kurių negalima paskirstyti pagal II skyrių
---------+Article 21a 1.
---------+Article 21a 2.
---------+Article 21a 3.
---+III SKYRIUS
------+23 straipsnis Programavimo ir įgyvendinimo susitarimai
---------+Article 23 1.
---------+Article 23 2.
---------+Article 23 2a.
---------+Article 23 3.
---------+Article 23 4.
------+24 straipsnis Valstybių narių bendrieji įsipareigojimai
------+25 straipsnis Europos Bendrijų finansinių interesų apsauga
---------+Article 25 1.
---------+Article 25 2.
---------+Article 25 3.
---+IV SKYRIUS
------+26 straipsnis Komitetai
---------+Article 26 1.
---------+Article 26 2.
------+27 straipsnis Įvertinimas
---------+Article 27 1a.
---------+Article 27 2.
------+29 straipsnis Įsigaliojimas
---+►M1ANNEX I◄
---+ANNEX II FINANCIAL FACILITY
---+►M1 PRIEDAS ◄ FINANSAVIMO REIKALAVIMUS ATITINKANTYS PROJEKTAI A. Dujos ir …
English - European Union - Energy -

EUROPOS PARLAMENTO IR TARYBOS REGLAMENTAS (EB) Nr. 663/2009 2009 m. liepos 13 d. dėl ekonomikos gaivinimo, teikiant Bendrijos finansinę paramą energetikos srities projektams, programos sukūrimo

EUROPOS PARLAMENTO IR TARYBOS REGLAMENTAS (EB) Nr. 663/2009

2009 m. liepos 13 d.

dėl ekonomikos gaivinimo, teikiant Bendrijos finansinę paramą energetikos srities projektams, programos sukūrimo

1. Apžvalga

,
Pavadinimas Reguliavimas
I SKYRIUS I SKYRIUS
II SKYRIUS II SKYRIUS
CHAPTER IIa FINANCIAL FACILITY CHAPTER IIa FINANCIAL FACILITY
III SKYRIUS III SKYRIUS
IV SKYRIUS IV SKYRIUS
►M1ANNEX I◄




►M1  ANNEX I ◄

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

A.    Gas and Electricity infrastructure projects



1.  Gas interconnectors

Project

Location of projects supported

Envisaged Community contribution

(EUR million)

Southern Gas Corridor

NABUCCO

Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany, Romania

200

ITGI – Poseidon

Italy, Greece

100

Baltic interconnection

Skanled/Baltic pipe

Poland, Denmark, Sweden

150

LNG network

Liquefied Natural Gas terminal at Polish coast at port of Świnoujście

Poland

80

Central and South East Europe

Slovakia-Hungary Interconnector (Veľký Krtíš - Vecsés)

Slovakia, Hungary

30

Gas transmission system in Slovenia between the Austrian Border to Ljubljana (excluding the section Rogatec-Kidričevo)

Slovenia

40

Interconnection Bulgaria-Greece (Stara Zagora — Dimitrovgrad-Komotini)

Bulgaria, Greece

45

Romania-Hungary gas interconnector

Romania, Hungary

30

Expansion of Gas Storage Capacity in the Czech hub

Czech Republic

35

Infrastructure and equipment to permit reverse gas flow in the event of short term supply disruption

Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia

80

Slovakia-Poland interconnection

Slovakia, Poland

20

Hungary-Croatia interconnection

Hungary

20

Bulgaria-Romania interconnection

Bulgaria, Romania

10

Mediterranean

Reinforcement of FR gas network on the Africa-Spain-France axis

France

200

GALSI (Gazoduc Algérie-Italie)

Italy

120

Gas Interconnection Western Axis Larrau Branch

Spain

45

North Sea area

Germany-Belgium-United Kingdom pipeline

Belgium

35

France-Belgium connection

France, Belgium

200

TOTAL

 

1 440



2.  Electricity interconnectors

Project

Location of projects supported

Envisaged Community contribution

(EUR million)

Baltic interconnection

Estlink-2

Estonia, Finland

100

Interconnection Sweden-Baltic States, and strengthening of the grid in Baltic States

Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania

175

Central and South East Europe

Halle/Saale – Schweinfurt

Germany

100

Wien-Győr

Austria, Hungary

20

Mediterranean

Portugal-Spain interconnection reinforcement

Portugal

50

Interconnection France-Spain (Baixas - Sta Llogaia)

France, Spain

225

New 380 kV AC submarine cable between Sicily – Continental Italy (Sorgente – Rizziconi)

Italy

110

North Sea area

500 MW Ireland/Wales interconnector (Meath-Deeside)

Ireland, United Kingdom

110

Electricity interconnection Malta-Italy

Malta/Italy

20

TOTAL

 

910



3.  Small island projects

Small isolated island initiatives

Cyprus

10

Malta

5

TOTAL

 

15

B.    Offshore wind projects



Project

Capacity

Location of projects supported

Envisaged Community contribution

(EUR million)

1.  Grid integration of offshore wind energy

1.1.  Baltic – Kriegers Flak I, II, III

Building on projects under development. Financing aimed at ensuring extra cost for securing a joint interconnection solution.

1,5 GW

Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Poland

150

1.2.  North sea grid

Modular development of offshore grid, demonstration of virtual offshore power plant and integration in the existing onshore grid system.

1 GW

United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, France, Luxembourg

165

2.  New turbines, structures and components, optimisation of manufacturing capacities

2.1.  Borkum West II – Bard 1 – Nordsee Ost – Global Tech I

New generation of multi-megawatt size turbines (5-7 MW) and innovative structures, situated far from shore (up to 100 km) in deeper waters (up to 40 m).

1,6 GW

Germany

200

2.2.  Aberdeen offshore wind farm (European testing centre)

Building on project presently under development – testing of multi-MW turbines. Development of innovative structures and substructures including optimisation of manufacturing capacities of offshore wind energy production equipment. An increase in size of 100 MW can be envisaged.

0,25 GW

United Kingdom

40

2.3.  Thornton Bank

Building on project presently under development. Learning from the Downvind project (cofinanced through FP6). Upscaling the Downvind installations turbines (5 MW size) in deep waters (up to 30 m) with low visual impact (up to 30 km).

90 MW

Belgium

10

TOTAL

 

 

565

C.    Carbon capture and storage projects



Project Name/Location

Envisaged Community contribution

(EUR million)

Fuel

Capacity

Capture Technique

Storage Concept

Huerth

Germany

180

Coal

450 MW

IGCC

Saline Aquifer

Jaenschwalde

 

 

Coal

500 MW

Oxyfuel

Oil/Gas fields

Eemshaven

Netherlands

180

Coal

1 200 MW

IGCC

Oil/Gas fields

Rotterdam

Coal

1 080 MW

PC

Oil/Gas fields

Rotterdam

Coal

800 MW

PC

Oil/Gas fields

Bełchatów

Poland

180

Coal

858 MW

PC

Saline Aquifer

Compostilla

(León)

Spain

180

Coal

500 MW

Oxyfuel

Saline Aquifer

Kingsnorth

United Kingdom

180

Coal

800 MW

PC

Oil/Gas fields

Longannet

Coal

3 390 MW

PC

Saline Aquifer

Tilbury

Coal

1 600 MW

PC

Oil/Gas fields

Hatfield

(Yorkshire)

Coal

900 MW

IGCC

Oil/Gas fields

Porto Tolle

Italy

100

Coal

660 MW

PC

 

Industrial carbon capture project

Florange

France

50

Transport of CO2 from industrial installation (steel plant) to underground storage (saline aquifer)

TOTAL

1 050

ANNEX II FINANCIAL FACILITY




ANNEX II

FINANCIAL FACILITY

A.    Implementation of the financial facility for sustainable energy projects

1.    Scope of the facility

The financial facility (the facility) shall be used for the development of energy saving, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and shall facilitate the financing of investments in those areas by local, regional and, in duly justified cases, national public authorities. The facility shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions on the delegation of budgetary execution tasks laid down in the Financial Regulation and its implementing rules.

The facility shall be used for sustainable energy projects, in particular in urban settings. This shall include, in particular, projects concerning:

(a) 

public and private buildings incorporating energy efficiency and/or renewable energy solutions including those based on the usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT);

(b) 

investments in high energy efficient combined heat and power (CHP), including micro-cogeneration, and district heating/cooling networks, in particular from renewable energy sources;

(c) 

decentralised renewable energy sources embedded in local settings and their integration in electricity grids;

(d) 

microgeneration from renewable energy sources;

(e) 

clean urban transport to support increased energy efficiency and integration of renewable energy sources, with an emphasis on public transport, electric and hydrogen vehicles and reduced greenhouse gas emissions;

(f) 

local infrastructure, including efficient lighting of outdoor public infrastructure such as street lighting, electricity storage solutions, smart metering, and smart grids, that make full usage of ICT;

(g) 

energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies with innovation and economic potential using the best available procedures.

The facility may be also used to provide incentives and technical assistance as well as to raise the awareness of local, regional and national authorities so as to ensure optimal use of the Structural and Cohesion Funds, in particular in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in housing and other types of buildings. The facility shall sustain investment projects demonstrating an economic and financial viability, in order to refund the investments allocated by the facility and to attract public and private investments. Thus, the facility may, inter alia, include provisioning and capital allocation for loans, guarantees, equity and other financial products. Furthermore, up to 15 % of the funding referred to in Article 21a may be used to provide technical assistance to local, regional or national, authorities on the setting up of, and on the initial deployment phase of technology related to, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

2.    Synergies

When granting financial or technical assistance, attention shall also be paid to synergies with other financial resources available in the Member States, such as the Structural and Cohesion Funds and the ELENA Facility, in order to avoid overlaps with other instruments.

3.    Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the facility shall be public authorities, preferably at local and regional level, and public or private entities acting on behalf of those public authorities.

B.    Cooperation with financial intermediaries

1.    Selection and general requirements, including costs

The facility shall be set up in cooperation with one or more financial intermediaries, and shall be open to participation by appropriate investors. The selection of the financial intermediaries shall take place on the basis of their demonstrated ability to use the funding in the most efficient and effective way, in accordance with the rules and criteria set out in this Annex.

The Commission shall ensure that the total amount of overhead costs related to the establishment and implementation of the facility, including management fees and other eligible costs invoiced by the financial intermediaries, remains as limited as possible, in line with best practice for similar instruments and whilst safeguarding the required quality of the facility.

The Union contribution to the facility shall be implemented by the Commission in accordance with the provisions set out in Articles 53 and 54 of the Financial Regulation.

The financial intermediaries shall comply with the relevant requirements on the delegation of budgetary execution tasks set out in the Financial Regulation and its implementing rules, in particular as regards procurement rules, internal control, accounting and external audit. No funding other than management fees or costs related to the establishment and implementation of the facility shall be made available to those financial intermediaries.

The detailed terms and conditions of the establishment and the framework conditions of the facility, including monitoring and control, shall be laid down in one or more agreements between the Commission and the financial intermediaries.

2.    Availability of information

The facility shall make available online all information on programme management that is relevant for interested parties. This shall include, notably, application procedures, information on best practices and an overview of projects and reports.

C.    Funding conditions and eligibility and selection criteria

1.    Scope of financing

In accordance with this Annex, the facility shall be limited to the financing of:

(a) 

investment projects that have a rapid, measurable and substantial impact on economic recovery within the Union, increased energy security and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; and

(b) 

technical assistance for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

2.    Factors to be taken into account

As regards the selection of projects, particular attention shall be paid to the geographical balance.

As regards the financing of investment projects, due attention shall be paid to reaching a significant leverage factor between the total investment and the Union funding in order to raise significant investments in the Union. However, the leverage factor for individual investment projects may vary, depending on a number of factors such as the actual size and type of a project and on local conditions including the size and financial capabilities of the beneficiary.

3.    Conditions for public authorities’ access to financing under the facility

Public authorities requesting financing for investment projects or technical assistance for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects shall comply with the following conditions:

(a) 

they have made, or are in the process of making, a political commitment to mitigate climate change, where appropriate including concrete objectives, for example relating to increasing energy efficiency and/or the use of energy from renewable sources;

(b) 

they are either working towards developing multi-annual strategies to mitigate climate change and, where appropriate, to attain their objectives, or are participating in a multi-annual strategy at local, regional or national level to mitigate climate change;

(c) 

they agree to be publicly accountable for the progress in their overall strategy.

4.    Eligibility and selection criteria for investment projects financed under the facility

Investment projects financed under the facility shall comply with the following eligibility and selection criteria:

(a) 

the soundness and technical adequacy of the approach;

(b) 

the soundness and cost effectiveness of the funding for the full investment phase of the action;

(c) 

the geographical balance of all projects covered by this Regulation;

(d) 

maturity, defined as reaching the investment stage, and incurring substantial capital expenditure as soon as possible;

(e) 

the extent to which lack of access to finance is delaying the implementation of the action;

(f) 

the extent to which funding from the facility will stimulate public and private finance;

(g) 

quantified socioeconomic impacts;

(h) 

quantified environmental impacts.

5.    Eligibility and selection criteria for technical assistance projects financed under the facility

Technical assistance projects financed under the facility shall comply with the eligibility and selection criteria referred to in point 4(a), (c), (e), (f) and (g).

►M1 PRIEDAS ◄ FINANSAVIMO REIKALAVIMUS ATITINKANTYS PROJEKTAI A. Dujos ir …

►M1

 PRIEDAS

 ◄

FINANSAVIMO REIKALAVIMUS ATITINKANTYS PROJEKTAI

A.    Dujos ir elektros energijos infrastruktūros projektai


1.  Dujų jungiamosios linijos

Projektas

Remiamų projektų vieta

Numatomas Bendrijos įnašas

(mln. EUR)

Pietinis dujų koridorius

NABUCCO

Austrija, Vengrija, Bulgarija, Vokietija, Rumunija

200

ITGI – Poseidon

Italija, Graikija

100

Baltijos jungiamoji linija

Skanled (Baltijos dujotekis)

Lenkija, Danija, Švedija

150

Suskystintų gamtinių dujų tinklas

Suskystintų gamtinių dujų terminalas Lenkijos pakrantėje, Svinouiscio uoste

Lenkija

80

Vidurio ir pietryčių Europa

Slovakijos ir Vengrijos jungiamoji linija (Veľký Krtyšas – Vecsés)

Slovakija, Vengrija

30

Dujų perdavimo sistema Slovėnijoje nuo Austrijos sienos iki Liublianos (išskyrus Rogateco–Kidričevo ruožą)

Slovėnija

40

Bulgarijos ir Graikijos jungiamoji linija (Stara Zagora – Dimitrovgrad-Komotini)

Bulgarija, Graikija

45

Rumunijos ir Vengrijos dujų jungiamoji linija

Rumunija, Vengrija

30

Dujų saugojimo pajėgumų padidinimas Čekijos centre

Čekija

35

Infrastruktūra ir įranga, užtikrinančios dujų srautą priešinga kryptimi trumpalaikių tiekimo sutrikimų atveju

Austrija, Bulgarija, Čekija, Estija, Graikija, Vengrija, Latvija, Lietuva, Lenkija, Portugalija, Rumunija, Slovakija

80

Slovakijos ir Lenkijos jungiamoji linija

Slovakija, Lenkija

20

Vengrijos ir Kroatijos jungiamoji linija

Vengrija

20

Bulgarijos ir Rumunijos jungiamoji linija

Bulgarija, Rumunija

10

Viduržemio jūros regionas

Prancūzijos dujų tinklo sustiprinimas ašyje Afrika–Ispanija–Prancūzija

Prancūzija

200

GALSI (Alžyro ir Italijos dujotiekis)

Italija

120

Dujų jungiamoji linija, Vakarinė ašis, Larrau atšaka

Ispanija

45

Šiaurės jūros regionas

Vokietijos, Belgijos ir Jungtinės Karalystės dujotiekis

Belgija

35

Prancūzijos ir Belgijos jungtis

Prancūzija, Belgija

200

IŠ VISO

 

1 440


2.  Elektros jungiamosios linijos

Projektas

Remiamų projektų vieta

Numatomas Bendrijos įnašas

(mln. EUR)

Baltijos jungiamoji linija

Estlink-2

Estija, Suomija

100

Švedijos ir Baltijos valstybių jungiamoji linija ir Baltijos valstybių elektros tinklo sustiprinimas

Švedija, Latvija, Lietuva

175

Vidurio ir pietryčių Europa

Halė (Zalė) – Šveinfurtas

Vokietija

100

Viena-Győr

Austrija, Vengrija

20

Viduržemio jūros regionas

Portugalijos ir Ispanijos jungiamosios linijos stiprinimas

Portugalija

50

Prancūzijos ir Ispanijos jungiamoji linija (Baiša – Sta Llogaia)

Prancūzija, Ispanija

225

Naujas 380 kV AC povandeninis kabelis tarp Sicilijos ir žemyninės Italijos (Sorgente–Ridzikonis)

Italija

110

Šiaurės jūros regionas

500 MW Airijos ir Velso jungiamoji linija (Meath-Deeside)

Airija, Jungtinė Karalystė

110

Maltos ir Italijos elektros jungiamoji linija

Malta, Italija

20

IŠ VISO

 

910


3.  Mažų salų projektai

Mažų izoliuotų salų iniciatyvos

Kipras

10

Malta

5

IŠ VISO

 

15

B.    Jūros vėjo energijos projektai


Projektas

Pajėgumas

Remiamų projektų vieta

Numatomas Bendrijos įnašas

(mln. EUR)

1.  Jūros vėjo energijos integravimas į energetikos tinklą

1.1.  Baltic – Kriegers Flak I, II, III

Remiantis vykdomais projektais. Finansavimas skiriamas papildomoms bendros jungiamosios linijos užtikrinimo išlaidoms padengti.

1,5 GW

Danija, Švedija, Vokietija, Lenkija

150

1.2.  Šiaurės jūros energetikos tinklas

Jūros vėjo energijos tiekimo tinklo modulinė plėtra, virtualios jūros vėjo jėgainės demonstracija ir integravimas į krante esančią tinklų sistemą.

1 GW

Jungtinė Karalystė, Nyderlandai, Vokietija, Airija, Danija, Belgija, Prancūzija, Liuksemburgas

165

2.  Naujos turbinos, statiniai ir komponentai, gamybos pajėgumų optimizavimas

2.1.  Borkum West II – Bard 1 Nordsee Ost – Global Tech I

Naujos kartos didelio galingumo (5–7 MW) turbinos ir naujoviški statiniai, pastatyti toli nuo kranto (iki 100 km atstumu) gilesniuose vandenyse (iki 40 m).

1,6 GW

Vokietija

200

2.2.  Aberdyno jūros vėjo jėgainės (Europos bandymų centras)

Remiantis šiuo metu vykdomu projektu – didelio našumo turbinų bandymai. Naujoviškų statinių ir postruktūrių vystymas, įskaitant jūros vėjo energiją generuojančios įrangos gamybos pajėgumų optimizavimą. Galima numatyti 100 MW padidėjimą.

0,25 GW

Jungtinė Karalystė

40

2.3.  Thornton Bank

Remiantis šiuo metu vykdomu projektu. Remiamasi Downvind projekto (bendrai finansuojamo per BP6) įgyvendinimo patirtimi. Downvind įrengimų turbinų (5 MW dydžio) padidinimas giliuosiuose vandenyse (iki 30 m) esant mažam regimajam poveikiui (iki 30 km).

90 MW

Belgija

10

IŠ VISO

 

 

565

C.    Anglies dioksido surinkimo ir saugojimo projektai


Projekto pavadinimas Vieta

Numatomas Bendrijos įnašas

(mln. EUR)

Kuras

Pajėgumas

Surinkimo metodas

Saugojimo koncepcija

Huerth

Vokietija

180

Anglis

450 MW

IGCC

Sūraus vandens rezervuaras

Jaenschwalde

 

 

Anglis

500 MW

Oxyfuel

Naftos (dujų) telkiniai

Eemshaven

Nyderlandai

180

Anglis

1 200 MW

IGCC

Naftos (dujų) telkiniai

Roterdamas

Anglis

1 080 MW

PC

Naftos (dujų) telkiniai

Roterdamas

Anglis

800 MW

PC

Naftos (dujų) telkiniai

Bełchatów

Lenkija

180

Anglis

858 MW

PC

Sūraus vandens rezervuaras

Compostilla

(León)

Ispanija

180

Anglis

500 MW

Oxyfuel

Sūraus vandens rezervuaras

Kingsnorth

Jungtinė Karalystė

180

Anglis

800 MW

PC

Naftos (dujų) telkiniai

Longannet

Anglis

3 390 MW

PC

Sūraus vandens rezervuaras

Tilbury

Anglis

1 600 MW

PC

Naftos (dujų) telkiniai

Hatfield

(Jorkšyras)

Anglis

900 MW

IGCC

Naftos (dujų) telkiniai

Porto Tolle

Italija

100

Anglis

660 MW

PC

 

Pramoninio anglies dioksido surinkimo projektas

Florange

Prancūzija

50

Anglies dioksido transportavimas iš pramoninių įrenginių (plieno gamyklos) į požeminę saugyklą (sūraus vandens rezervuarą)

IŠ VISO

1 050

▼M1

1.1 Nuorodos

1.2 Nustatyti reikalavimai

1.3 Susiję standartai

2. Nustatyti reikalavimai

Reikalavimai
Šaltinis Reikalavimas

3. Susiję standartai

Standartai
Šaltinis Reikalavimas