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ICE pays miscellaneous and pawns to ¢ 1.4 million

Another 2,000 earn about ¢ 505,000 for that work; in private sector, ¢ 300,000

Otto Guevara and Sandra Piszk want to reform wage calculating bonuses

July 14th,2015

Building a pawn of the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) gained ¢ 1.4 million salary in May, while a miscellaneous ¢ 1.3 million earned in those 31 days.

These are the highest wages in those categories; among the 22,353 people working in that entity. There are also masons charged ¢ 1.6 million and cooks who received ¢ 1.4 million state coffers.

While at the Institute those millionaires wages paid in the private sector, which does not recognize salariales- bonuses paid to a pawn and a miscellaneous ¢ 343,000, ¢ 300,000 (payments four times lower than the highest of the ICE). Bricklayers earn ¢ 353,000 per month and cooks earn ¢ 342,000; almost five times less than their counterparts highest paid in the state enterprise.

The average salary of 1,533 laborers who reported the ICE is ¢ 585,000, while that of the 423 Miscellaneous is ¢ 505,000.

The data comes from the return recorded by the Institute to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) in May this year. These were provided by the media deputy Otto Guevara, of the Libertarian Movement (ML), with name and identification number of workers each.

According to the legislator, which aims to make public such payments it is to demonstrate that the public sector is full of excesses, abuses and imbalances. He said that Costa Ricans do want awareness and demand less government waste.

The comparison between public and private realities made this medium from total wages, including the variable portion as overtime. In the case of a private company, reference payments are estimates of companies that meet legal obligations.

For the deputy Guevara, some categories of employment in the ICE are overflowing because of the great number of employees.

For example, the records in that entity CCSS 1147 builders; 728 artisans in wood; 400 drivers; 1,524 civil engineers; 200 secretaries and 581 welders.

La Nacion asked a reaction to the leaders of the ICE, but at press time no answer. The unions claim that the facts revealed by Guevara are false.

More gaps. The average salary for a private company winemaker is ¢ 407,000, but if you work in ICE, he could earn up to ¢ 1.2 million through salary bonuses as annuities and dedication.

According to the decree of the Ministry of Labour, warehouse employee must earn a minimum of ¢ 286,000 monthly.

The reality for cashiers is similar: in the Institute may receive up to ¢ 1.5 million, but could only aspire to ¢ 360,000, on average, in a non-state company. For them, the minimum wage decreed no more than ¢ 323,000.

The electricity and telecommunications company only reports five journalists, whose salary is about ¢ 2.3 million. In a private media, they would be paid just over the legal minimum: about ¢ 820,000.

In the ICE, 200 secretaries earn, on average, ¢ 691,000 and ¢ earn better wages 1.7 million. For this job category, the minimum wage is ¢ 323,000.

On the payroll of the Institute also include a potter, two floral arrangers seven craftsmen in leather, glass engraver, three technicians in artistic drawing, a literary author, an arbitrator five curators.

Read more: 'La Nación'

 

Sale of solar energy meets new obstacles

Interested parties should ARESEP concession process and wait contests ICE

July 03rd,2015

If I was in his plans to become a small solar power generator and sell excess, you should know that run into new and complex obstacles.

The requirements were established in an opinion on the energy produced on a small scale (or distributed generation), issued this week by the Attorney General of the Republic (C-165-2015).

According to this, no matter what the capacity of solar panels, the generator must meet the same requirements as are private megaplants require up to 20 megawatts (MW) of power.

That is, you must follow to the letter the law No. 7200 (1990), which requires it to obtain a public service concession to the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep), enabling it to operate up to 20 years.

To acquire this award, you must request a letter of eligibility by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE). Once obtained, you should wait for that entity, by necessity, open a competitive bidding process and awarded him a space in the electrical system.

Do not forget that the quality and appeal of its generation system and its kilowatt hours (kWh) will compete with those offered by large private plants.

If the capacity of your PV system exceeded 2 megawatts (MW), add to the list of requirements endorsed by an environmental impact by the National Environmental Technical Secretariat (SETENA). Consider that at least 35% of the share capital of its "company" shall to belong to Costa Ricans.

You must also keep up with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) and the Fund for Development and Family Allowances (FODESAF).

If you live in Guanacaste, for example, or is paid in a different electrical signature at ICE or the National Power and Light Company (CNFL), will be prevented from placing their kilowatts, as the law No. 7200 only supports the sale those two companies.

Juan Manuel Quesada, mayor of Energy ARESEP, admitted yesterday that these obstacles, the sale of surplus lost any possible appeal.

What if he wants to sell? If your interest is to generate consumption, simple netting (kWh exchange with its distributor, as its consumption needs), the Office also clarified requirements.

In that case - as it was determined that the netting is not a public-service concession should not ask or eligibility, but comply with various formalities.

First, contact your distributor (to anyone, in this case) and negotiate a contract. Once you get it, go to the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) to register. Then, you are ready to enter the national grid.

It is recommended that before undergoing this process for netting, then numbers: the initial interconnection will be paid between ¢ 48,700 and ¢ 1.2 million and then inject per kWh to the network, it will spend between ¢ 9 ¢ 28 (varies by distribution).

Finally, you should know by now that the netting is impossible. Pending the Minae published new rules that define, for example, how records will be new generators.

Irene Cañas, Deputy Minister of Energy, said this Thursday that regulation must meet the criteria established by the Office and then be sent for public consultation. Once published, the simple netting would be a reality.

Remember, there is always the option of purchasing the panels and stay off the grid, for which it is not necessary to meet any requirement.

Source: 'La Nación'

 

Minae wins pulse ARESEP: Attorney dictates that distributed generation to consumption is not public service

ARESEP argued that law provided that itself was a public service

Ministry must enhance service regulation for regulation

July 02nd,2015

The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) won the pulse of the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep) and the Attorney General's Office (PGR) ruled in a report that the distributed generation for self-consumption small (solar panels or wind turbines ) is not a public service, as established by the regulator.

After consultation of the chief of the ministry, Edgar Gutierrez, the PGR in its report C-165-2015, dated June 25, 2015, it indicates that the "provision is a key element of activity in public service, so an activity that is not of benefit to the public can not be considered public service. That is the case of the distribution of electricity for self-consumption ".

ARESEP argued that legally distributed generation for consumption (known as single netting) was a public service . Arguing that would connect to the distribution network by Regulation Poasen defined technical conditions that were required and only remained the authorization certificate from Minae.

For PGR, it is not a public service because it is not intended to supply power to the end users and points to the ministry as the lead agency to be defined by public policy. Specifically, the policy also distributed generation.

"The PGR does is confirm the position that the ministry had distributed generation to consumption is not a public service, therefore the consumption need not be regulated by ARESEP" said Gutierrez minister.

Regulation almost ready

The Minae already has ready a regulation on this issue due out for consultation in the coming days. This should include some views targeted by the PGR and once you go through the consultation mechanisms will be the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) to set the regulatory standard.

"Netting is simply consumption, ie no sale of energy to anyone. I generate solar or wind power, the use and if I need the use of the network, like any user (...) One of the options is that I generate energy, stored in a battery and used later ( ...) If I have, I am connected to the network and the distributor where I live have to set the fees to be paid; either toll interconnection backup or "described the hierarch.

ARESEP chasing canceled the subscriber monthly cost of access to the network, established a tariff schedule in effect at the time of billing. Distributed Generation concession (referred to as compound netting) provides that if the person produces more than it consumes, the distribution company must pay.

"Yes there is a sale of service, I am generating and injecting into the network. In this sense whether it should be regulated by ARESEP "he added the minister.

Interpretation of law

Gutierrez said that after hearing an opportunity to Dennis Melendez, General ARESEP regulator, 'understood' that the agency did not want to work in the simple netting. "It understood that he had to work on that and I should be the Minae" outlined.

"At some point you are right, there is a logical sense, ARESEP is the regulatory and the big question was if I generate energy for their own consumption should be considered a public service. Took the next step, to do so by decree before the State Attorney (PGR) told us that this was the path to follow, "said the official.

Erick Rojas, vice president of the Chamber of Distribution Companies Energy and Telecommunications (CEDET) who acuerparon to Minae, they said satisfied in the sense that the PGR 'waist puts' to ARESEP and tells you the rules, along with issued rates, no reason.

Source: crhoy.com

 

Plan proposes to pay to municipalities for housing electric plants

ICE, Chamber of Industry and Acope object canon since electricity rate will rise

July 2nd,2015

Municipalities receive money per kilowatt hour (kWh) generated power projects operating in their canton, if a bill is being discussed in the Legislative Assembly approves.

The initiative seeks to 19,119 local governments perceive a penny per kWh sold, no matter what source is generated. That is, it would apply to hydroelectric, wind, geothermal and biomass, both state and private projects.

Was the deputy Jorge Rodriguez, the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), who presented the text to be discussed in the Committee on Economic Affairs of the Congress Party.

His purpose, he said, is to "justice" and compensate all cantons suffering economic and social damage for hosting these works.

The document, in the legislative process since May 2014 provides that the fee would be collected by the Ministry of Finance and would be used for the repair and maintenance of roads and infrastructure, as well as social and environmental preservation programs.

"The law would not be retroactive and would not apply to small producers of solar energy (distributed generation). There are doubts about whether a penny or one colon will be charged, "said Congressman rojiazul.

Rodriguez, former mayor of Paraíso de Cartago, insisted that the municipalities themselves are capable of running the resources flowing into its coffers. Weeks ago, however, the Comptroller General of the Republic revealed severe underutilisation of funds by local governments.

How do you receive? The main concern of the sectors is that the new tax encarecería even more electricity rates paid by consumers.

This was confirmed by Dennis Melendez, chief of the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep). He said if the generation is taxed, the payments would be "unmanageable" for producers and the impact on prices would be "significant".

In 2014, they would have raised with canon ¢ 50,000 million, which surpasses all the expenditure for operating and maintaining the system of generation of the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE).

According contributions of Luis Pacheco, manager of the Institute, the source that would provide more money to the municipalities would be hydroelectric, because its plants 66% of electricity (6.717 billion kWh) generated.

The second would be heavier geothermal, which produces 15.2% (1.538 billion kWh). Followed by thermal, responsible for 10% (1.043 billion kWh) and wind, with 7% (735 million kWh).

Carlos Obregon, president of ICE, said that electricity production (in the case of the entity) has no profit, so all the money generated need for investment.

Mario Alvarado, director of the Costa Rican Association of Power Producers (ACOP), rejected the plan. It argues that the private sector pays the taxes that domestic firms canceled.

"The rates of electricity service, as a public service are established under the principle of the service cost. Taxes would be an additional cost and will move no doubt to the end user, "Alvarado said.

The initiative also convinces Gilberto Monge, Mayor of Mora and vice president of the National Association of Mayors and Municipalities (NHAI). He rescues "the spirit" of the plan, but believes that the money that they would turn very little and not worth creating conflict between sectors. He added that the municipalities did not propose the text and they were not consulted.

Obregon, Alvarado and Enrique Egloff Monge, president of the Chamber of Industry, oppose further load electricity rates because rather, the country has been seeking desperate measures by lowering them and improving employment and competitiveness

Read more: 'La Nación'

 

Electricity distributors must pay up to 60 ¢ per kWh for small producers

Entities are required to buy clean energy subscribers

May 22nd, 2015

The electricity distribution companies are required to pay between 54 ¢ and 60 ¢ small generators for every kilowatt hour (kWh) to produce and contribute to the national grid from renewable sources such as solar, hydro and wind.

This was established by the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep) and applies only to those attached to the Poasen (Planning, Operation and the National Electric System Access) standard micro. The distributors are forced to buy clean energy to produce their subscribers.

Purchase prices vary by company: The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) will pay 58 ¢ per kWh; National Power and Light Company (CNFL), ¢ 60; the Administrative Board of the Municipal Electric Service Carthage (Jasec), ¢ 58, while the Public Service Company of Heredia (ESPH) will pay 59 ¢.

Coopelesca, meanwhile, will spend 54 ¢ per kilowatt hour; Coopeguanacaste, 55 ¢; Coopesantos, and Coopealfaroruiz 56 ¢, 54 ¢.

These rates will remain in force during this year.

Outstanding. Although they are ready selling prices, it is still possible that new generators are connected to the National Electricity System (SEN). This possibility ceased since February, when ICE concluded the pilot plan to allow connection of solar panels to the grid.

By ARESEP, it remains to establish the access and interconnection rates, while the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) has yet to clarify how permits or concessions to those wishing to connect will be awarded.

The Minae claims that it is expecting a statement from the Attorney General's Office regarding the methodology of the authorization certificates.

Meanwhile, Carolina Mora, ARESEP spokeswoman said the company has worked on time since the Poasen rule, in April last year, issued and outstanding fees will later this month.

"The rules must be clear to all participants (generators and distributors), and must ensure the provision of adequate manner," said Mora.

Source: "La Nación"

 
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