The ERSE is not validating energy acquisition contracts by EDA with independent producers due to non-compliance with the European directive, stated Berta Cabral, the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility, and Infrastructure, in a hearing at the Parliamentary Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, Environment, and Sustainable Development, in Ponta Delgada.
The official, who also oversees Energy in the archipelago, expressed the urgency of presenting a legislative proposal in the regional parliament. This proposal aims to adapt the national legislation to clarify the competencies of autonomous regions in this matter.
Berta Cabral explained that the energy acquisition contract is currently mandatory for granting a production license. Without this document and the corresponding license, investments in electricity production based on renewable energy sources cannot proceed.
The proposal from the coalition government (PSD/CDS-PP-PPM) seeks to resolve the discrepancies over the payment for energy to private entities. However, Berta Cabral acknowledges that other important issues require ERSE’s approval.
If ERSE finds the prices inconsistent with what it considers an acceptable tariff for the Autonomous Region of the Azores, it will not validate. Without validation, EDA cannot enter into electricity acquisition contracts with independent producers, as ERSE will not compensate this, she explained.
The Azorean government concedes that the dispersed energy production in the Azores and the consumption differences across the nine islands might cause some controversy with the Energy Services Regulatory Authority.
