La República
Increase was due to decreased flows in the hydroelectric plants
Thermoelectric production up nearly 90%
ICE is considering requesting a rate adjustment in November, industrialists fear that deprives them competitive
The fall of the flow of rivers and reservoirs that are exploited for electricity generation and increased demand led to a big spike in energy production from fossil fuels, which is seven times more expensive than that produced with clean resources .
So far this year, thermal energy production, as known to those produced from diesel and bunker, grew by 88%.
That spike in the purchase of fuel could cost users as the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) refines an application for adjustment in electricity tariffs to be presented in November.
Only the first eight months, the ICE was 573 million kilowatt hours (kWh) to meet demand, while in the same period of 2009 production with fossil material reaching only 305 million kWh.
To meet this increase, ICE was forced to buy 84 million gallons more fuel than the same period in 2009.
This investment in oil derivatives represented ICE expenditure by the order of ¢ 36 billion more in relation to the first eight months of last year.
ICE three reasons justified the increase in demand for thermoelectric power. The first is the drop in flow in plants Cachi, Rio Macho, Arenal, Toro and Peñas Blancas, with greater intensity in February, March and April, due to the phenomenon El Niño.
"Only in Arenal, the flows dropped by 57% in February and 40% in March," said Greivin Mayorga, manager of Electricity ICE.
The other two factors that prevented a further electricity with clean resources were the late arrival of winter and the recovery of the economy increased energy consumption.
In this situation, some industrialists are against a possible rise in the cost of electricity, arguing that the sector is losing competitiveness due to the increase in that input.
"In 2009 there was an increase in the rate of 33% and 12% by 2010, when inflation was 4.05% and 5% respectively," said Carlos Montenegro, deputy executive director of the Chamber of Industries.
The request for increase which analyzes the ICE must be submitted to the Regulatory Authority of Public Services. There should study the proposal to determine whether and in what percentage, the term can lead the decision making range from two to three months.
The last request for rate increases that made the ICE was received on November 20, 2009 and was 10.5%.
Vanessa Chaves
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La Nación
Geothermal energy is in the parks
Coordinator PaulMoya steam supply area, ICE 11/09/2010 9:35 pm
The ICE had reported the possibility of building Borinquen, another geothermal plant. In what condition is the project?
Imagenes/Fotos Pictures / Photos
Borinquen is in Rincon de la Vieja. For now we have few studies and until we have more research we can not know whether there is any possibility of developing it. Now, if the geothermal potential is outside the park bingo, you can build the project, but if you're inside the park can not do anything.
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La Nación
Pailas generate light from April, 2011
Mercedes Aguero R.
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11/09/2010
Pailas geothermal plant, located on the slopes of Rincon de la Vieja volcano, begin producing power in April 2011.
The plant, owned by ICE, 35 megawatts of installed capacity and generated electricity to supply about 95,700 homes.
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La República
Limit to produce only 35% of demand is the main complaint of employers
Sparks arise in electrical opening debate
There is room to listen to the demands of private producers, says Minister of the Presidency
Esteban Arrieta
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A few days passed before the first sparks were generated around the bill introduced by the Government to open the electricity market.
The downloads come from private companies that produce energy at present. The main complaint is the production limit posed by the project, since only be allowed to supply 35% of demand.
He also questioned the inability to market their surplus would whoever you wish within and outside the country, since they are forced to sell them at the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).
"We made a first review and what we found does not meet our expectations. For example, cooperatives are now investing millions to meet electricity demand in our communities and generate a surplus, but the new law would prohibit selling the remains as we want, what causes us to recover the investment problems, " Erick said Rojas, manager of the National Consortium for Rural Electrification Cooperatives (Coneléctricas).
This situation is detrimental to the users, because the only way that electric cooperatives would be to increase the user fees, lamented Rojas.
Cause further distress that he would give the state agency stewardship, planning and market regulation.
"When ICE is being given a lot of advantages with the rules presented. The law has been proposed is tricky, you have to work and study deeply because it requires adjustments, "questioned Mario Alvarado, executive director of the Costa Rican Association of Energy Producers.
Another concern they generate the plan for opening a cooperative is related to the inability to keep their older partners when the market opens.
"For example, a large hotel in Guanacaste, which now buys its energy Coopeguanacaste with the opening and decided to buy electricity from another company, would generate a lot of pressure on the cooperative, forcing her to shift the losses to residential consumers" said Rojas.
Because of concerns they have with the power project submitted to the legislative power by the Government, employers sent their own Members.
Although he sent his version of the future that aims to give the power sector, the Government is open to hearing the concerns that money the various parties involved in the market. The purpose is to ensure electricity for decades and not create a short circuit, is the slogan of the executive branch, said Marco Vargas, Minister of the Presidency.
Even in the Legislature joined a special commission to examine the issue and which was granted within six months to create a text with the greatest possible support.
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La Nación
Electricity bill starts with the left foot
* Opponents not only differ, but who object to government's vision
* Proposal could take up to a year to get to the plenary for discussion and vote
Esteban A. Mata
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16/08/2010
The opposition benches not only disagree with each other on the draft Electricity Law, but who object to the government's vision on the opening of the sector.
Imagenes/Fotos Pictures / Photos
Less than a week submitted the plan to file 17 812 and is assured of a process "surgical" in a special committee has not yet been made.
With the legal text of the executive is to create a wholesale electricity market in the country.
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Costa Rica Electricity Market News