Roundup: Fortis, capacity outlook, rate hearings, regulatory plan, renewables call

Fortis (TSX: FTS) reported third quarter net earnings from its Caribbean-regulated power utilities of Cdn$6mn (US$5.76mn), flat year-on-year, and higher production from its non-regulated hydroelectric asset in Belize. Group financials are available here.

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Panama's national dispatch center CND published a 2014 firm capacity outlook, available in Spanish at this link.

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Costa Rica's public services regulator Aresep this month will hold a public hearing to review a request from large power users organization Acograce which proposed a rates reduction of 10.79-38.64% to improve competitiveness. The watchdog said this drop would increase rates for residential, school and commerce up to 11%.

The regulator also will hold a hearing to update the rates setting model for private generators (law 7200) that sign new power purchase and sale contracts with state power company ICE.

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Colombia's energy and gas regulator Creg released for comment its proposed 2014 action plan, available in Spanish here.

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And El Salvador's national energy council CNE reported that 58 offers were submitted in the international call to supply 15MW from renewables for 15 years. Names were not disclosed with winners to be announced January 7-9 and contract signing scheduled later that month.