Luis Carlos Solera: "The 'gourmet' fuel import is a reason of lower results"

May 24th, 2014

Covered that it was an urgent need for Costa Rica, the Costa Rican Oil Refinery (Recope) and the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) imported a bunker 'gourmet' quality, its low sulfur content, for thermal generation Garabito plant.

The bringing of this hydrocarbon was done without the Regulatory Authority of Public Services (Aresep) recognize the premium. Once the regulator approved the new tariff, Recope started a collection retroacivo ICE ¢ 10,000 million.

The Institute says ARESEP pay when so approved.

Luis Carlos Solera, head of Economic and Financial Studies Recope, told La Nacion that ICE complies expect, as both companies it traded at a joint agreement.

Why Recope and ICE agreed to bring a bunker for quality Garabito, was recognized without the fee?

This was to ensure the country's power supply. There is a particular issue of arrears of hydropower ICE and less rainfall than the higher thermal energy consumption have become necessary.

"He started working (imports) in a spirit of collaboration and understanding a national problem."

Recope was assumed a risk?

At that time the price was set lower. A collaboration agreement (between companies) was signed and it was established that the ICE accepts that imports of the product is higher and is willing to acknowledge the higher cost.

But why they initiated an administrative fee?

The administrative fee is to start the process to recover the money. I'm no lawyer, but I understand that the selected method is appropriate.

Does the ICE itself is committed to pay the Refinery?

There will be a coordination meetings in this regard.

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