Energy Distributors denounce ARESEP by discrepancies in Poasen regulation

Distributors fear that provisions affect their finances

Support to Minae, entity that requested ARESEP change rules

April 22nd,2015

The House of Power Distribution Companies and Telecommunications ( CEDET ) denounce before the Administrative Court to the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) by regulations contained in the Regulation of Planning, Operation and System Access National Energy (Poasen) .

The Poasen determines the conditions of the electrical connection at the national level, the obligations of operators and clients connecting to the network. The regulations, published in April last year, contains a chapter on distributed generation, solar energy there appear.

"Some policy where further assumed that distributed generation is a public service, when we have done that query several times and have not been able to show that the government or the Legislative Assembly declared as a public service (...) We are emitted this must be an original plan of government, a national plan and no legislation of an autonomous entity as is ARESEP "said Erick Rojas, vice president of CEDET.

Rojas said they are convinced of their position and considers the extent ARESEP would shred any initiative that has to do with distributed generation system. "The other thing that concerns us are the benefits that this technology will bring believe that if well implemented and used could bring benefits, but as is the case of impose on distribution, are necessarily defined that companies should receive that energy, even without you know if you are going to need or price you will receive "he said.

The official believes that several payments that should not be included in the average tariff that would allow the distributed generator or consumer, who will be paid with benefits that, in their opinion, more expensive public service to other consumers without solar panel.

"It will force distributors to acquire that power, they will be forced to be willing grid so that when there is no sun and no wind, the consumer has the energy and will increase the costs (...) The distributor will have to meter protection systems, regulation and labor, "he said Rojas.

Boost to Minae

Edgar Gutiérrez, Minister of Environment and Energy (Minae), asked ARESEP modify the Poasen for solar projects could be driven. In a chapter of the regulation refers to solar energy and according ARESEP, the ministry must define the characteristics of the authorization certificates.

Also, at the end of next week the public hearings that will determine interconnection rates for this category will be made. "We support the ministry in defining that this is not a public service and should be well accepted by ARESEP (...) The lawyers are working out the details, think of presenting it as an amparo, but define it better through litigation" He quoted.

Rojas emphasized that distribution companies have advanced such projects according to their capabilities and expressed an interest in performing, among all a solar energy project of great magnitude.

"When done individually and becomes an individual business, affects not only the distribution forgone energy. But when contracts are signed for power put the complicated situation, as there may be times when the fare is more expensive which itself may be generating "described the vice president.

The entrepreneurs are worried by the differences between the Minae and ARESEP, coupled with the removal of a pilot solar energy that drove the plan Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) since 2010 and was concluded in the previous February

Source: crhoy.com