ICE: 'There will not be electricity increases in 18 months'

August 1st,2014

Following the controversy generated by his latest rate proposal, ICE said that during the next 18 months, do not ask a single increase more expensive electricity bills of their subscribers.

The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) had already made public that promise at the end of June, when he pledged to cut spending and stabilize its finances to lower the cost of light.

That's when the entity itself proposed that the increase of almost 16%, supported by prior ARESEP, were applied in three tracts of 5.32% each, over 18 months.

The ICE and the government joined in the public commitment to maintain stable electricity rates over the next year and a half.

Conflict. Two days ago, the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep) announced a new application "of rate hike" by ICE. A ARESEP found it "troubling" that ICE broke its commitment to ask for a 3.3% increase in receipts.

In your written request, on July 21, ICE explained that it requires an adjustment must cover (concrete and projected) by increasing energy imports, to which he turned down as long as the burning of fossil fuels.

That explained that this year is expected to import 240 gigawatts, which would imply the disbursement of ¢ 36,212,000. To do this, asked ARESEP recognition of additional income for ¢ 31,524,000.

But Elbert Duran, spokesman for the institute, said yesterday that there was a misunderstanding by ARESEP. He explained that the request was to amend the tariff composition, instead of devoting 3.3% to the purchase of fossil fuels, that percentage is intended for energy imports Regional Electricity Market (MER).

"The price will stay the same from now until December 31, 2015; what changes is the percentage of the items. The stability was a policy set forth by the Government to respect and implement the ICE. No contradiction, "he said.

Carolina Mora, spokesperson ARESEP, no more refer to the ICE proposal because "already entered public hearing process."

Source:'La Nación'