The government wants the legal reform of the electric model to be approved in the coming period • Semanario Universidad

The government aimed to quickly approve the legislative reform of the electricity model, which, as the rector of the system, would strengthen the Ministry of Environment and remove the planning on this issue from the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE). next term .

This was expressed by Presidential Minister Natalia Díaz at the forum organized by the Costa Rican Chamber of Industry on bill 23,414 entitled “Harmonization of the national electricity sector” announced by President Rodrigo Chaves on October 19. however, it will enter the agenda of the Energy Committee in the Legislature this week.

Díaz stated that it is necessary to set targets on these issues and that they think it is possible for the Government to progress the project for the next period. “We hope to get the opinion of the commission at least until June,” he said at the meeting where the vision of this project was discussed from the perspective of the executive and legislative powers and the private sector. He was accompanied in this activity by Daniela Rojas, Deputy Head of the Energy Commission; Environment Minister Franz Tattembach and Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Industry Sergio Capón attended.

Díaz’s statement seemed to take the panelists a little by surprise, especially Rojas, who was smiling at him: the deputy should moderate the debates and hearings in the legislative committee. But the MP later stated that the issue would have the urgency and speed it needed. “Hopefully we can have an idea in six months, but not because we’re in a hurry, but because the necessary in-depth discussion has taken place,” he said.

Capó emphasized that the industrial sector considers this a proposal that needs to be addressed with a sense of urgency, and that although it can be improved, it is an opportunity not to be missed. On this issue, all panelists agreed, who also thought that the proposal was politically viable.

Offer

Officials detailed some aspects of the proposal, which aims to align scattered electricity-related legislation within the Costa Rican legal framework, strengthen the role of the rector of the Ministry of the Environment, and remove functions from ICE. currently a judge and chapter. It has been proposed to remove the electricity planning from the Institute and the energy distribution functions currently being carried out from the Energy Control Center (CENCE) of the Agency. In addition, a large consumer figure will be created and energy marketing legislation will be made more flexible.

Tattembach assured him that it was a proposal that had the overwhelming support of President Chaves, who had attended three or four important meetings for his generation. He stressed that it will make progress in terms of decarbonization and mainly in terms of trying to replace the use of fossil fuels with electricity.

In this sense, it is aimed to stimulate the growth of electrical energy supply, thereby starting to replace petroleum-derived fuels in the energy matrix.

It was striking, however, that Capón talked about what he would do, despite the shift in the emphasis of the industrial sector, which morphed from one focused on demanding more competitive rates to one about the urgency of considering the country’s decarbonisation needs. preferred that the electricity store be separated from the environmental section.

Díaz stressed that there has been no change in the transmission monopoly or distribution, which is considered “almost natural”. “It focuses more on energy trading.”

The project will begin its process at the Energy Commission this week, before what will be its first major challenge to demonstrate its viability. Adding that he expects a technical discussion, not an ideological one, Rojas said, “We will take all sectors that are affected positively or negatively, all will be consulted.”