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"

Electricity rates will increase in April

March 09th, 2014

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) reported that as of April first electricity rates will rise by 10%.

According ARESEP, adjustment reflects the Costa Rican Electricity Institute had to buy more or bunker fuel to produce electricity, due to lack of water.

For a family of four, where the average consumption is twenty-five thousand colones, the receipt could rise to about twenty-seven thousand five hundred colones.

The increase in electricity rates will be for customers JASEC, ICE, the Public Service Company of Heredia and the National Power and Light Company

Source: 'Teletica'

Renewable Energy Sector fears loss of 1,000 jobs

In 2014 the solar industry generated more than 600 jobs, according Acesolar.

February 19th,2015

The renewable energy industry fears losing 1,000 jobs after the closure of the pilot of the ICE, which injected into the distribution network 10 megawatts (MW) of solar energy.

The pilot was promoted by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) to assess the impact of this source in the network of the National Electricity System (SEN) and started in October 2010 with 5 MW and two-year term. Just in 2012 began to get interested, and after studying the results, the Institute expanded the plan for three years and increased power up to 10 MW.

Last year, only the solar industry generated more than 600 jobs. If this other renewable technologies (biomass, biogas, mini hydro and mini wind) are added, distributed generation creates more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, said Harold Steinvorth, director of the Solar Energy Association of Costa Rica (Acesolar) .

Before alerts energy sector Javier Orozco, head of Process System Expansion ICE, said the cease-pilot does not imply that those who participated be removed from the system, because these 366 customers signed a connection with the Institute for 15 years.

Distributed generation is a system that allows small-scale power generators produce for their own consumption and also to market the surplus in the SEN.

For entrepreneurs like Alejandro Brenes, general manager of Enertiva, immediate solution to avoid the crisis in the sector is in the hands of ICE. This is because although the Regulation of Planning, Operation and System Access National Energy (POASEN) is in force since April 2014, is not yet sufficiently refined to define a north on distributed generation.

"The alternative is that the Institute will extend the term of the pilot until the legislation is implemented POASEN by the ARESEP" Brenes said.

However, Luis Pacheco, manager of the ICE, told The Nation that the plan ceased on February 6. In those circumstances, the future of distributed generation now be left to the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep), by POASEN.

"The pilot was defined objectives and goals aimed at investigating the impact of this generation in distribution networks, both as operating costs. It also was seen as an opportunity to assess market behavior associated with this technology. Fulfilled the timeframe of the project, we are in the process of evaluation and results of it, "Pacheco said.

Editor's Note: This information was updated at 3:00 pm

Source:'La Nación'

Electricity rates will increase 5% average in January

December 09, 2013.

Start the year with an increase of 5% on average in electricity rates for customers of all companies providing the service.

The setting for the first quarter of next year is the proposed Regulatory Authority of Public Services (Aresep) by variation in the cost of fuels used in thermal power generation

Rates go up depending on the operator, for each percentage increase is different as shown in the picture.

The regulators are examining at this time another request of the Costa Rican Association of Large Energy Consumers would mean a reduction for large consumers 30% adjustment, but an increase for residential customers up to 11%. For those with objections to this fit ARESEP scheduled a public hearing next Friday.

This application should be approved or rejected this December, when it is determined whether the adjustment will be greater for residential customers.

Source: Crhoy.com