Transcript NET METERING IMPLEMENTATION IN BELIZE

RFPEG Belize 2013
Public Utilities Commission
• Objectives of RFPEG Belize 2013
• PUC Act:
• Section 22
• (1) It shall be the duty of the Commission to ensure that the services
rendered by a public utility undertaking operated by a public utility
provider (hereinafter referred to as “utility services”) are satisfactory
and that the charges imposed in respect of those services are
reasonable, and for this purpose, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in any law, the Commission shall have the power –
• a) to enquire into the nature and extent of utility services and to
determine and prescribe in accordance with the provisions of this Act,
the Electricity Act, the Telecommunications Act, the Water and
Sewerage Act, and other subsidiary legislation made under these
Acts, the standards which must be maintained in relation to such
services
• b) to determine and prescribe in accordance with the provisions of
this Act, the Electricity Act, the Telecommunications Act, the Water
and Sewerage Act, and other subsidiary legislation made under these
Acts, the rates which may be charged in respect of utility services.
• (2) The Commission shall exercise the functions assigned or transferred to
it under this Act and other laws in a manner which it considers is best
calculated to –
a)
secure that all reasonable demands for utility services are satisfied;
b)
secure that licence holders are able to finance the carrying on of the
activities which they are authorized by their licences to carry on;
c)
protect the interest of consumers in respect of
(i)
the tariffs charged and the other terms of supply;
(ii)
the continuity of supply; and
(iii) the quality of the utility services supplied;
d)
promote efficiency and economy on the part of persons authorized by
licences to supply utility services to consumers;
e)
promote research into and the development and use of new
techniques by or on behalf of persons authorized by a licence to supply
utility services;
f)
protect the public from dangers arising from the supply of utility
services; and
g)
secure the establishment and maintenance of machinery for
promoting the health and safety of persons employed in the supplying of
utility services,
and the Commission has a duty to take into account, in exercising those
functions, the effect on the physical environment of activities connected
with the supply of utility services.
Section 2
“public utility provider” means any person or company (including the lessee,
trustee, receiver or liquidator of such person or company) who owns or operates
equipment or facilities for:a)
the production, generation, storage, transmission, sale, delivery, furnishing
or supplying, directly or indirectly to or for the public, of electricity….
Electricity Act:
Section 6 (2) (c)
c)
promote competition in the generation and supply of electricity
• Statement of Objectives
• The PUC’s Objectives of RFPEG Belize 2013 are to satisfy the duties and responsibilities conferred
upon it by the PUC Act and the Electricity Act, and in particular to secure that all reasonable
demands for electricity services in Belize are satisfied (over the relevant period) with reliable and
continuous supply at affordable prices while promoting competition in such supply.
• As an implementer of Government Policy, the PUC is also interested in promoting the use of
clean, renewable energy technology within the mix of supply options in Belize, in particular those
utilizing solar, wind and other naturally occurring energy resources.
• Additionally, the PUC is the entity authorized to grant licenses for the provision of utility services
in Belize and therefore naturally has to play a significant role in the securing of electricity supply.
• As the only licensed transmission, distribution and supply entity in
Belize, BEL has an obligation to satisfy all reasonable demands for
electricity services and to practice prudent economy. BEL therefore
naturally has similar objectives in terms of securing with reliable and
continuous supply at affordable prices while facilitating competition
in such supply.
• The Government of Belize, represented by the MESTPU, is charged
with managing the public affairs of the citizens and has a natural
obligation to set and oversee the implementation of prudent energy
policy. In pursuit of its policy to promote private investment and
participation in the utility sectors, the Government conferred relevant
powers on the PUC to regulate the utility sectors and to implement
the policies established by the Government for the said sectors. The
MESTPU therefore has similar objectives to both the PUC and BEL, but
also to ensure implementation of its energy policy and to assist in
administrative matters were appropriate.
Evaluation/Negotiations
Ultimately, the PUC, BEL and MESTPU are interested in contracting for the
projects that best matches our current mix of supply sources in terms
improving reliability, continuity and affordability. Therefore, projects that
garner the highest points in evaluation may not necessarily be awarded a
PPA. In case of a virtual tie after dispatch simulation and determination of
the fit of project proposals, those with more points will of course be
prioritized for contract negotiations.
Licensing
The PUC is the authorized entity to grant relevant licenses in Belize. It
is anticipated that successful bidders who sign on to a subsequent PPA
will be assured of being granted an appropriate license. However, all
relevant Laws of Belize are to be satisfied before any such license is
granted so that one cannot be guaranteed at this time.
Financial Matters
In addition to a wide range of powers, responsibilities and duties
placed on licensees, there are certain comforts and assurances
provided under the PUC Act and the Electricity Act in regards to
licensees, including financial. The PUC has always and intends to
continue to apply the principles set forth in the Acts and other relevant
subsidiary legislation with regards to the financial viability of licensees.
Future Considerations – potential for projects beyond 60 MW firm
RFPEG Belize 2013 is concerned with satisfying the demands for electricity services
in Belize. The PUC, BEL and MESTPU are satisfied that the requirements laid out in
the RFP Document will accomplish this. However, the parties may wish to engage
bidders not successful in this bidding process if conditions prove right for an active
energy trading market between Belize and neighbouring countries. Any such
engagement would be done independent of this RFP process.
Imminent opportunities exist for participation in small-scale distributed RE
generation. To this end, the PUC, BEL and MESTPU are collaborating in establishing
regulations to introduce such a market in a managed manner. The appropriate
regime is expected to be established by mid to late 2014.