ICE attacks decree requiring it to report their figures to the Government and the Comptroller

By Aarón Sequeira

In his suit against the state and the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR), the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) attacks Executive Decree 36,984, Minae, forcing him to report his financial records to the Governing Council and the comptroller , once a year.

In the complaint, still under study eligibility by the Administrative Court, ICE questioned three offices and a resolution of the CGR, besides the decree stated.

CNFL's Failed Projects

The National Power and Light Company (CNFL) produce wind energy more expensive in the country and lost $ 2.2 million in the so-called Central Valley Park in Santa Ana. The area of Environmental Services and Energy of the Comptroller General of the Republic investment calculated at $ 3,800 per kilowatt installed, when the average cost for similar plants is 43% cheaper.

ICE requests 13.7% increase in electricity rates for consumers

By Juan Fernando Lara

The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) requested an increase of 13.76% in electricity tariffs to the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep). The Institute argues that the adjustment is necessary due to increased energy purchases to private generators during 2015.

According to ICE, the adjustment would allow recover a shortfall of ¢ 26546.3 million. According to that entity, private participation in power generation increased from ¢ 65.734 million in 2014 to ¢ 103,840 million in 2015, equivalent to an increase of 58%, the institute said in a press release.

El Niño can cause the worst drought since 1997 in Central America

By Marvin Barquero

San José

The current El Niño hit Central America can be increased and become the largest since 1997, increasing drought in the Pacific belt and excessive rains in the Caribbean during the remainder of 2015 and early 2016, in the opinion of specialists in Climate Forum of Central America, held in Honduras.

According to experts in meteorology, hydrology and agriculture, the region should be prepared and take take prevention and mitigation measures to protect the agricultural sector.

6 of each 10 CNFL employees earning more than ¢ 1 million

Nearly 400 people earn higher salaries to ¢ 2 million per month

A switchboard Power and Light receives six times more than one of RACSA

July 16th, 2015

Six out of 10 officials of the National Power and Light Company (CNFL) receive a higher salary ¢ 1 million.

Of the nearly 2,200 employees of the metropolitan power distributor, they accrued 1,250 six-digit salaries in May.

The average salary is ¢ 1.3 million in this company, owned by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE).

A group of almost 400 people earning more than ¢ 2 million per month. Such is the case of one of the 31 phone operators CNFL perceived ¢ 2.6 million, almost nine times the minimum wage for that occupation.

The same applies to a bookbinder who has a salary of ¢ 2.4 million while a welder receives ¢ 1.2 million and building a pawn, just over a ¢ 1 million.

The minimum wage for those three positions in the private sector not exceeding ¢ 320,000, according to the Ministry of Labour.

The highest salaries are officials who hold the headquarters. The highest compensation is ¢ 5.6 million. At least six of them earn more than the maximum chief, general manager, Victor Solis, whose salary is around ¢ 5 million.

In the Company only 200 employees (9%) earn less than ¢ 500,000 monthly. It is 49 ¢ Miscellaneous receiving 428,000, although that position is a person who earns more than ¢ 1.1 million. In the private sector, such personnel do not receive more than ¢ 300,000.

This follows the return of the CNFL reported to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), in May 2015. These data were provided to the Nation by the libertarian deputy, Otto Guevara.

Reasons. Jorge Pacheco, interim CEO Power and Light, he said the difference in the salaries of the CNFL, with respect to the private sector, is due to the bonuses that are paid to the state, such as annuities and dedication.

The chief also attributed the situation to the formula that was used for years to calculate annuities in the CNFL. He explained that instead of defining the additional benefits over the base salary, bonuses to gross wages were estimated, which generated a rapid rise in wages.

Pacheco said the payroll reported to CCSS in May may have some inconsistencies, as some employees were paid less because they were disabled or leave without pay.

Others said the manager, were reported more because they are compensated for vacation days that they would not use. Such is the case of an area coordinator, who received ¢ 4.3 million for accrued vacation and ¢ 1.9 million school salary. In the end, I won ¢ 10.9 million in May.

However, Pacheco recognized that wages are high and represent a "significant" cost to the institution which closed 2014 with a deficit of ¢ 6,200 million and needed help ICE to meet its debts. Salaries represent 13% of operating expenses.