by Myrna Velasco April 27, 2016
The dependence of renewable energy
(RE) on subsidies is not seeing its end very soon, as the National Renewable
Energy Board (NREB) has calendared to finalize this week the third round of
feed-in-tariff (FIT) incentive to be granted to solar projects.
As proposed, this will cover the
third round of FIT for the solar developments that have been dislodged in the
second wave FIT of P8.69 per kilowatt hour.
Sources from the industry hinted
that one of the recommended numbers for the next solar FIT had been at P7.90
per kilowatt hour.
Nevertheless, NREB Chairman Pete
Maniego noted that “there is no final figure yet, but we are still trying to
reduce the rate as much as possible.”
It was learned from other sources
represented at the renewable energy body that the other proposal will be to
lower it further – by roughly P1.00 from P7.90/kwh.
Maniego added that the NREB board
will convene this week to firmly discuss and finalize the details and specific
parameters for the propounded third round of FIT for solar.
“It (3rd round FIT) is still being
finalized and subject to discussion in NREB’s board meeting. If approved by the
board, the proposal will be endorsed to DOE (Department of Energy) for
approval,” the NREB chair has emphasized.
Energy Secretary Zenaida Y. Monsada
has told reporters this week that the capacity of all solar farm projects
completed hovered at roughly 900 megawatts.
Since the total FIT-covered capacity
will just be limited to 500 megawatts in the initial two batches, close to
400MW will be dropped from the FIT incentive system.
That as a given, the government is
seemingly softening now on the FIT-deposed project developers’ bid for added
round of subsidies.
The FIT system will guarantee the
profitability of the solar developers in the next 20 years – as their
capacities injected into the grid will be part of the FIT-Allowance collections
from all electricity ratepayers.
No comments:
Post a Comment