availability payment schemes
as defined in Regulation (EC) No 680/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of…, Article 2, point (13) (Definitions)
financing schemes for infrastructure projects, built and operated by a private investor who receives periodic payments after the construction phase for the infrastructure service provided. The payment level depends on the degree of attainment of the contractually-agreed performance levels. Availability payments are made throughout the duration of a contract between the authority awarding the contract and the project promoter and serve to cover the construction, financing, maintenance and operational costs.