Cease of ICE Pilot Plan alarm the energy sector

February 20th,2015

The renewable energy sector pleaded alarmed after learning that the ability and time established in the pilot solar energy that drove the ICE plan were exhausted.

The plan allowed the injection of 10 megawatts (MW) solar power to the electrical system, since October 2010. However, this came to an end on February 6 and since that day, ICE prevents the installation of more panels to distribution network.

In total, 366 clients were able to join the tool will not see a continuation, said yesterday the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).

Now, the future of distributed generation remain with the still incomplete Regulation AR-NT POASEN (Planning, Operation and access to national grid), and the rules of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Minae).

Reactions. The cessation of guarantees for the installation of photovoltaic panels found unprepared households, companies and the Costa Rican Association of Solar Energy (Acesolar), which brings together some 80 physical and legal partners.

The renewable energy sector warned yesterday that, due to sudden cessation, 1,000 jobs in distributed generation hanging by a thread, as it was this plan that allowed them to operate.

According Acesolar, in 2014 the solar industry generated 600 jobs and if the technologies biomass, biogas, small hydro and add minieólica are 1,000 places involved.

"If we may reach 1% of the matrix, could generate thousands of new jobs, contributing to severe unemployment crisis afflicting the country," said Alejandro Brenes, manager of the firm Enertiva.

Before alerts alleged 1,000 jobless, Javier Orozco, head of Process System Expansion ICE, explained that the termination of the pilot scheme does not imply that those who participated to be removed from the mains, as these 366 customers signed a contract connection with the Institute for 15 years.

Peeter Geesink, owner of UTOPIGS Deporgen SA-a Dutch firm of pig production and tilapias- explained that, thanks to the pilot, the network could install 80 solar panels on their property of 60 hectares in Chomes, Puntarenas.

However, the plan termination prevented you connect more than 230 panels would help turn your company carbon neutral.

"Only days ago I approved funding to buy 230 more panels, but now I am attacked, as the ICE does not give me permission, and not told anything. Until now I find. Too bad, because I think an excellent contribution to the environment and stop it by sheer bureaucracy and formality, "he said.

Fees Thomas, owner of Solar IntiTech also unaware of the conclusion of the plan and explained that strike your company greatly.

"We have signed contracts for 450 panels and this will affect us much; silver was lost, "he said with concern.

The Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep) revealed this medium that have expressed interest in distributed generation paid four distributors (50% of total): ICE Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y ​​Luz (CNFL), the Company Public Service Heredia (ESPH) and Coopealfaro Ruiz.

Source:"La Nación"