Regulatory roundup: Energy storage, hydrogen installations, electromobility and more

Dominican Rep looking to modify battery energy storage cap

The Dominican Republic’s national energy commission CNE is reviewing requirements for the installation of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to make them more economically viable. 

“We currently require storage starting at 50MW, but we are considering lowering this threshold to make it more accessible and attractive to project developers,” said CNE planning and development director Ramón Moya.

Peru approves power sector regulatory updates

Peru’s energy and mines ministry has released guidelines for drafting citizen participation plans.

The norm covers public engagement of semi-detailed environmental impact studies for the power sector and aims to provide predictability to stakeholders during the permitting process.

Meanwhile, power grid coordinator COES has updated its 2025-34 power transmission plan proposal following stakeholder input. One change is the amount of investment for “binding” projects starting in 2025-26 and estimated to come online by 2030, and long-term projects. The latest proposal raises the near-term infrastructure to US$653mn from US$576mn and lowers the long-term work to US$656mn from US$693mn.

Brazil publishes power distribution concession rules

A decree issued by Brazil's mines and energy ministry defined stricter rules for electricity distribution concessions and guidelines to be followed for extending contracts.   

Regarding existing contracts, distributors may choose to adopt the new rules to renew concessions.

Brazil approves bill to boost electromobility

After much debate between the upper and lower houses of Brazil’s congress, the bill establishing the Mover green mobility and innovation program was finally approved and signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.  

Meanwhile, the senate is moving forward with the analysis of a bill that creates a regulatory framework for the green hydrogen market.

Crisis in Brazil’s regulatory agencies threatens local energy sector 

Brazilian federal civil servants, including professionals at oil and gas and electric power watchdogs ANP and Aneel, as well as environmental regulator Ibama, are pressing the government for more financial and human resources.

The crisis in the federal agencies threatens the regulation of the energy sector and the progress of permitting processes for projects.  

What's next in Chile's energy storage regulations push 

Chile is building and adapting a regulatory framework surrounding energy storage systems.

A major milestone was hit this month when the government published regulations concerning capacity transfer, rules that will provide greater certainty over associated revenue flows. A second big chunk of regulation – concerning system coordination and operation – is in the pipeline. This regulatory work will help further accelerate investment, especially in systems that aim to use a project finance model. Chile's hydrogen installation rules.

Chile's safety rules for hydrogen installations

Chile published a decree that establishes safety rules for fixed hydrogen installations, after the office of the comptroller general gave the document the green light.

Known as supreme decree No. 13 of 2022, it sets out minimum safety requirements for stationary facilities that produce or consume hydrogen as an energy resource.

Meanwhile, Chile published a decree establishing an end-user electricity consumption subsidy scheme that will be in place from 2024-26.

Such an initiative – targeting vulnerable households – was set out in a bill, approved this half, that unfreezes regulated client power rates, which have remained virtually unchanged for four years.

Ecuador's natural gas regulation

The energy and mines ministry issued executive decree No. 311, which harmonizes articles 3 and 68 of the Hydrocarbons Law. The regulation simplifies administrative procedures by streamlining permits and authorizations; encouraging private investment. It also includes a simplified online registry for all means of transportation that imports natural gas.