Closing a successful project

The electric generation pilot plan with solar panels reached the maximum power (10 MW) with the participation of 366 small producers

At this time, new projects can only generate for self-sufficiency, without possibility of connection to the national grid and, much less, to sell surplus

February 25th,2015

In just over four years, the pilot solar power generation plan established reached the maximum power (10 MW) with the participation of 366 small producers connected to the distribution network of the national grid. It is totally clean energy, generated no greater state investment and with very competitive costs, but the development of the system is in doubt now that passed within the pilot and limits stipulated generation reached.

The future depends on design methodologies and tariffs which is run by the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep). The Ministry of Environment and Energy (Minae), meanwhile, should clarify the conditions for granting future permits small-scale generation.

These permits and the pilot plan in force until now allow network connection for self-consumption. If the generator does not want to connect to the network, you can install generating capacity needed for consumption unprocessed permission. The difference is that the generator connected to the network does not need to invest in storage. Production injected into the national system and then takes he needs. So have backup power even though the sun is missing. If you consume more than they produce, pay the difference, but if produced in excess, does not receive any compensation.

The system, as is evident, is not designed to stimulate the generation beyond the specific needs of the producer. In the absence of the ability to connect to the network, also serves to encourage self-sufficiency, because the investment to store energy is high and the risk of not having electricity in some sunny days is great.

To sell excess power to the national grid is required Minae concession, not a single permit, but that proceeding resort is not available to potential interested in producing energy on a small scale. The other sector of private generators is also surrounded by limitations and procedures, as well as those aspiring to develop large projects in energy production. Again, it is clear that no matter the commitment of generating clean energy nor costs. Import keep the market closed, even against tiny competitors, such as the pilot.

At this time, new projects can only generate for self-sufficiency, without possibility of connection to the national grid and, much less, to sell the surplus. If ARESEP meet the promised deadline and Minae clarifies how to handle connection permissions, development activity can be resumed in about two months, but stakeholders doubt so quickly. When everything is ready, it will not be possible, however, sell surplus than the existence of a concession.

Moreover, the operation does not retain the characteristics of the pilot of the ICE. ARESEP set a connection fee to the national grid. The measure is justified by the investment in the network and the need for servicing, but if the cost is too high, it will not be worth installing panels for self-sufficiency and the country will lose opportunities for clean energy generation, such as a production farm pigs and tilapia in Chomes, Puntarenas, whose owner thought necessary investments to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations.

So many limitations, care and barriers lead to an outside observer to believe that we live in a country without exploiting new clean energy sources, but not far from Chomes, emissions of gases in the plant Garabito tell the real story, not mention the printed testimony on bills.

Source: "La Nación"