Plan to modify the electricity rates irritates to the residential customers

Consumers of Costa Rica rejects the claim from business sector

Companies expect that if they lower the amount of electricity, jobs will be created

October 08,2013.

The idea of ​​lowering the electricity tariff medium industries and consumption increases offset this reduction with residential customers, is not well seen by the Consumers Association of Costa Rica.

The proposal, already accepted for consideration by the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep), was presented by the Costa Rican Association of Costa Rica Large Consumers (Acograce) on 27 September.

According to ARESEP, manufacturers rebates apply to 39% in turnover, in order to improve the country's competitiveness and not sacrifice jobs as a result of the high cost of your electric bill.

The increases in rates for houses would range from 2.20% to 11% as the company that offers the power supply.

According Acograce, that increase would be ¢ 1,025 on average per dwelling.

"We can not agree that the residential sector is sacrificed in front of the industrial sector, especially since the benefits for both companies are not going to see directly thousands of homes," said Erick Ulate, representative of the Consumers Association of Costa Rica .

The spokesman stressed that talk of more industrial jobs, but do not say how many people to hire in the coming months.

For his part, Ronald Jimenez, president of Acograce, defended his approach.

"If electricity rates are improved, there will be more companies to invest in Costa Rica, which would help in the medium and long term, the cost of the fees are diluted among all consumers," he said.

Jaime Molina, president of the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Sector (Uccaep) gave support to the application of Acograce.

"Unfortunately, there is no other way to achieve this reduction," said Molina.

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Increase of 30% in electricity deepens complaints from companies to ICE

kWh average price went from 13.6 to 17.6 cents of dollars, says Chamber

Institute recognizes problem and announces plan to issue a special charge to the firms

October 7,2013.

An increase in the price of electricity over 30% this year and not only causes manufacturing enterprises, but also the service, put the complaint to the Government.

Procter and Gamble, Amway, Vicesa, Hospira Boston Scientific and publicly complained about the sharp increase in the electricity tariff.

Those voices were supported by the general director of the Costa Rican Coalition for Development Initiatives (Cinde), Gabriela Llobet, for whom the allegations are "a warning to the country" by the loss of competitiveness.

Carlos Roldan, executive director of the Costa Rican Association of Large Energy Consumers (Acograce) and Clean Energy Program of the Technological Institute of Costa Rica, acknowledged that the country has strong distortions in this field, but the reality is that prices electricity are much higher than those of countries which have free trade agreements.

Complaints join those already been expressed for some time by the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (ICRC).

Figures. A study presented by the ICRC's deputy executive director, Carlos Montenegro, states that the price per kWh in Costa Rica for medium voltage industrial companies, rose from an average of 13.6 cents per kilowatt hour in 2012 to 17.6 cents in 2013.

That means an increase of 30% when comparing the 2012 with this year, according to industrialists.

Moreover, this strong increase made the country the most expensive among several with which it has a significant trade at this time.

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Companies requests a rate hike in residential electricity to pay less

Proposed increase to 11% in residential areas, general preferential

Chambers of Commerce and Industries believe that current billing is unfair

October 5,2013.

Large electricity consuming companies ARESEP proposed to higher fees charged by households to lower the amounts disbursed by them.

Such request is granted, those who pay for residential rates, general and preferential will face from 4.40% to 11% more on receipts.

With this increase, 1,020 companies in Costa Rica would be a reduction of up to 39% on your expenses by light.

The request was made yesterday by the Costa Rican Association of Large Energy Consumers (Acograce) to the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep).

The approach includes the boost distribution companies should apply to bills of households and schools, for example.

According to this position, Coopeguanacaste must charge a 4.40% increase and Coopelesca (San Carlos) 6.20%. The Public Service Company of Heredia (ESPH) 9.50%; Jasec (Carthage) 2.20%, the National Power and Light (CNFL) an additional 5%, and the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) apply up 11% to "those who consume less."

Topics. President of the Chamber of Industries, Juan Ramon Rivera, claimed that the reduction is a measure "fair" they have in mind for a long time.

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ICE requested an increase of 5.56% for electricity

ARESEP studies the request

October 2,2013.

The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) requested the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep) an increase of 5.56% in the fee for distribution.

The ICE justifies its request by arguing that the money will be used to meet costs and operating expenses, debt service and generate the resources intended to generate an investment plan.

Carolina Mora, ARESEP spokeswoman, explained that if approved, the new rates would apply from January next year.

However, the application of the institute was presented in the middle of a process of reduction that was raised by the Chamber of Industry.

That camera is requesting a decrease of 11% for all power distribution companies, among them the ICE.

In this last quarter, 1.4 million subscribers nationwide electrical service have a break in their spending, as the electric bill will decrease 13.6%, on average, from yesterday until next December 31.

Source: "La Nación".