Central America power watch: Distributed generation, solar incentives, equipment call

Costa Rica’s public services regulator Aresep approved modifications to the methodology used to calculate rates that distributed generators pay to use the national power network.

The principal change is related to the variable charge for accessing the grid, the watchdog said in a statement.

“The access fee was charged according to the total consumption of the distributed generator, regardless of the generation source (own or purchased from the distributor), for example, if a distributed generator produced 200kWh and purchased an additional 300kWh from the distributor for consumption, it had to pay on full consumption, that is, 500kWh,” said Aresep.

“With the approved change, now the distributed generator must pay the access fee only for what it generates, that is, for 200kWh.”

Solar incentives

The economy and finance committee of Panama’s national assembly approved in a first debate a bill to introduce a new fiscal incentive to promote the donation of solar panels used for rural aqueducts.

The initiative would modify the energy generation incentives law (solar, wind and hydro) by providing an income tax break.

Equipment call

Nicaragua’s state power transmission company Enatrel launched bidding to supply and install equipment for the commercial measurement system.

The contract falls under a transmission system expansion program financed by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration.

Offers are due by October 23, according to the procurement notice available in the Documents box in the top right corner.