Energy Efficiency Law will reward lower consumption
Government conducted yesterday the first meeting of the inter-ministerial committee that seeks to reduce energy consumption by 20% by 2025.
One of the first definitions to achieve the goals of the energy agenda delivered yesterday the Minister of Energy, Máximo Pacheco, who said that in the bill energy-efficiency with which it is expected 20% reduction in energy consumption 2025 – the awards to saving and reducing consumption is included.
“What we are going to do in the bill is, first of all, reward savings in electricity consumption and, second, to create incentives for all the electricity distribution companies are not interested in that more consumption but are confident that there are fewer “Pacheco said after participating in the first Inter-Ministerial Committee on Energy Efficiency with his peers of Interior, Finance, Economy, Social Development, Public Works, Housing, Transport and Environment.
He explained that the bill will be filed in the fourth quarter of 2015 before Congress.
The chief of the portfolio added that is expected to reduce energy consumption comes from both households and productive sectors. In that line reminded that 30% of electricity consumption in the country comes from mining.
He also pointed out that the reduction of 20% which is expected to replace thermal generation by 2,000 MW. “We know that we have an infrastructure deficit of energy in Chile and how to address it are two: build more power plants or be more efficient in their use of energy. We are going to do both, “he said.
Asked about the possibility of accelerating the implementation of smart grid (“smart grids”) and net metering (“possibility that individuals inject energy into the system”), Pacheco said there “absolutely” are options. “It’s part of the pending regulations. We have a law and that law was already approved by Parliament. We have a net metering regulation which is a priority of this government to develop this year”, he said.
Pacheco also explained that the idea of the committee is to establish lines of action through the various ministries, which consider lower consumption in hospitals, improve the way the houses are built for heating household have not lost due to quality problems; review how can the public transport contribute to energy efficiency and replace more than 200 thousand public lighting by more efficient ones.
It is important to remember that the draft law shall, at least, three components of Energy Efficiency: in industry and mining; in households, small industries and businesses, and the public sector.
Source: La Tercera
