ICE discard extending the pilot plan of solar energy

Minae admits that economic activity is affected after cessation of initiative

March 22nd,2015

The ICE made it clear that it will not pursue the pilot solar energy plan despite the insistence of Minae and those interested in this type of generation.

This initiative began in 2010 and allowed the injection of 10 megawatts of solar power to the grid, through the provision of 366 subscribers.

However, installing new panels is impossible since 6 February day lapsed in time and capacity, the plan of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).

The paralysis responds to that is still not ready the regulation of licenses and permits from the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Minae) and have not been fixed rates as connection and monthly network access, by ARESEP.

By the time you are ready the rules (the bodies in charge shall ensure that the April 15), the only option to connect new panels is whether the Institute continues the program.

That option was buried. Javier Orozco, director of the Electrical System Expansion ICE, told this newspaper that the plan "and did the job".

"We are now waiting for ARESEP put under interconnection rates and power backup. From our side we are ready to add new clients, based on the new regulatory framework, "he added.

Confusing. The national discourse on what will happen with solar generation has been confusing.

On February 17, Luis Pacheco, manager of the ICE, told The Nation that the Institute does not lengthen the plan, for it corresponded review results.

On March 10, Carlos Obregon, president of that entity, said: "The ICE is in the best position to develop a program that is a continuation of the pilot project, as long as regulations permit."

The governing this type of generation is the regulation Poasen (Planning, Operation and access to national grid) Regulatory Authority of Public Services (Aresep).

With the allegation that the Poasen was the one who prevented the ICE lengthen your plan, March 9, Minae Minister, Edgar Gutiérrez, asked ARESEP suspend for one month, until outstanding fees and guarantees are set.

"The spirit is that ICE can continue its pilot here plan to April 15 (...). ICE wants to; if you can follow, follow. What was there was a regulatory impediment "he said then.

Three days later, executives ARESEP rejected the request of the minister, because this did not give weight basis.

What now? Irene Cañas, vicemistra Energy, said "the ICE can not continue with the plan" because you can not use this pilot scheme, while the Poasen is in effect.

Cañas admitted that the stoppage of solar generation (February 9) hit economic activity around this.

Source: "La Nación"