Protermosolar has estimated today at more than 2,000 million euros annually the extra cost receiving the hydraulic and nuclear technologies in Spain.
Claim that the nuclear and hydro receive the very concept of ‘ reasonable return ‘ to the other technologies, as required by new energy reform. You could also make up the shortfall if the distribution tariff is applied the concept of reasonable return for the life of the facility.
The opening of a hydraulic pumping plant when there is overcapacity in the sector, it aims not to lower the electric bill increase business but speculatively .
The compensation cost for nuclear energy and hydropower represents more than 2,000 million euros per year to the system, according to calculations made by Protermosolar, the industry association representing the Spanish solar thermal industry . It also ensures that the remuneration of regulated distribution business has been instrumental in the volume of deficit run up in the last 10 years.
According to the association , if nuclear and renewables – that is a price taker and does not participate in the formation of prices in the pool- , and hydro that, along with the pump, rather than help the operating system to achieve its maximum benefit get them with a reasonable return after appropriate analysis of costs would achieve a significant reduction in the electric bill .
However, it was decided to apply a symbolic taxes some of which seem to, although established by law, is not yet developed to the benefit of hydroelectric companies. Assigning these technologies "very mature", the concept of reasonable return for the life of the plants, would emerge the " windfall profits " and would solve a lot of the accumulated deficit.
Now, in a period of overcapacity, opens a new plant that, in the opinion of the association, is not to contribute to the system or to lower the electric bill, but to speculate on the differences between the pool price, pumping when under (on windy nights , where heavily subsidized wind ) and produce when the pool is more expensive.
Some now propose that solar electric and solar thermal to stop making the argument that 10% would reduce the cost of electricity bill, saying that 7,000 MW of solar power operating in the middle of the day reduces the pool price . Alternatively propose that this energy is provided by the combined cycle, increasing their power business .
Protermosolar insists that renewables are not the cause of the tariff deficit , much less raw CSP that has only recently gained. Already, in 2008, it amounted to 16,000 million euros and until then the premiums charged by renewables were not significant. Now however, try to hold power renewables principal and interest on a debt that they have helped create. Also, forget that its depressive effect on pool prices, has contributed in the last 10 years at a total cost reduction of electricity.
The association Protermosolar believes that until now the power companies like Iberdrola – especially in Spain, have been enjoying historically important privileges :
When the financial commitment by nuclear broke, they are saved with the famous nuclear moratorium still continue to pay ;
In the past model change – of – Market Stable Regime were provided comfort with the system of the costs of transition to competition with those who also are heavily rewarded ( 3,400 million euros) and seems not yet assessed be that ‘ prescitos ‘ political decision ;
In this latest phase, they subsidized the installation of 27,000 MW combined cycle natural gas. In 2011, the subsidy was increased, although the current government has reduced this increase, combined cycle plants today receive funding than that motivated their investment, quite the opposite of renewable energy which has reduced the remuneration were promised in the BOE.
CSP premiums represent 1,100 million euros in 2013, ie less than 3% of the electricity system costs and far less than half of the rest of the main technologies of Special Regime, including cogeneration . These figures are far from the information from the power sector. In addition, the CSP is supplying more than 3% of electricity demand during much of the year .
Solar thermal sector activity continues to record a surplus in the balance of contribution to the Spanish economy. In 2012, the CSP sector contributed EUR 2.607 million as a contribution to GDP (gross domestic product ) and taxes, compared to the 927 million received in premiums.
These figures are obtained from the last Report of the Macroeconomic Impact of Solar Thermal Energy Sector 2012, prepared by Protermosolar , which draws on variables associated with the activity of all plants in operation or under construction during the past year .
The study details other contributions from solar thermal projects: up to a total of 280 million euros in savings on fuel imports, emission allowances and unemployment benefits and prevented more than 700 million € of taxes and social security.
In 2012, concentrated solar power activity reached a cumulative installed capacity of 1,970 MW in Spain, with a power output of 3,432 GWh and companies with CSP projects held during the year a total of 17,816 jobs.
The solar thermal power industry is a strategic opportunity in Spain, not only for its international leadership position and the progressive trend towards a system of emission-free electricity generation, but for his decisive contribution to energy supply security, stability pool prices, attracting foreign capital and conversion capacity of the traditional industrial base to other future activities in many Spanish regions .
Protermosolar is the industry association representing the Spanish solar thermal industry and currently consists of about 100 members. Solar thermal technology, in which Spain is a leading international force has recently broken into the landscape of renewable energy worldwide and is currently the one with the highest growth potential for its manageability and storage capacity for its high job creation site and its potential for cost reduction.
