Management by Costa Rica State Power Company Challenged

Business associations say the country needs a comprehensive law that allows greater participation and competitiveness of private generators.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (UCCAEP) predicts sharp increases in electricity rates, and points to inefficiency in the management of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), as the monopoly responsible for satisfying the country's demand for electricity.

Commenting on the subject of wind ppwer, Ronald Jimenez, president of the Association of Large Electricity Consumers, said that "We as entrepreneurs call it inefficiency. Taking the wind farm theme, which is to install the turbines and start generating power, and where the project is the same here as it is in China. Many companies are willing to sell all that power to the ICE, earning money and at $0.08 per kilowatt / hour, while the National Power and Light Company (CNFL) provides exactly the same which costs $0.22 . "

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Costa Rica: 18% Increase in Electricity Tariff

November 2015

The union of private companies will be launching an appeal against the approval of the 18.6% increase in electricity rates by the National Power and Light Company (CNFL by its initials in Spanish).

From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (UCCAEP):

Costa Rica: Strong Opposition to Electricity Rates Increase

December 2014

Employers have indicated that the increase of 13% in rates is unjustified and instead a reduction of 8% should be applied, considering variations in the exchange rate and generation capacity.

From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (UCCAEP):

Uncertainty in Electricity Future of Costa Rica

November 2012

Delays in the construction of the large hydropower projects and increases in their costs are making the future level of electricity tariffs unpredictable.

Elfinancierocr.com reports that "The Association of Major Power Consumers (Acograce) and the Chamber of Industries (CIRC) believe it is time for the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) to improve and streamline their internal processes, which because of their slowness and bureaucracy, is costing the country many millions. "

Reduced Competitiveness Because of Electricity Rates

October 2012

On the increas since 2007, the current cost per kilowatt in Costa Rica is $0.13, 113% more than in the U.S. and 30% more than in Colombia and Mexico.

The high cost of electricity reduces competitiveness for Costa Rican producers, and according to the conclusions of a competitiveness forum organized by Deloitte and Amcham, there is no prospect that the situation will change in the short term.

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