Representatives of the Association Dominican of the Electrical Industry (ADIE) and the Association Dominican of Isolated Electrical Systems (Adosea) expressed their opinion regarding the proposal of the Superintendence of Electricity (SIE) to replace the net metering scheme with a billing scheme for users with solar panels that inject and consume energy from the electrical grid.
Manuel Cabralexecutive vice president of the ADIE, and Carlos Rodriguezpresident of Adosea, emphasized the urgency of updating the regulation on generation distributed in the country, adopting a net billing scheme that guarantees the sustainability of the electrical system and equity for all consumers.
“The current net metering regulation was appropriate when it was necessary to incentivize the use of solar panelsbut today it no longer responds to the reality of the sector. We want to continue promoting the generation distributedbut under a scheme that does not financially harm distributors or consumers who cannot install solar panels“he explained Manuel Cabral.
While Carlos Rodriguez He highlighted that the current model implies an energy exchange that negatively impacts the finances of the distributors. “The net metering scheme works like a barter, where the energy generated by the solar panels It is compensated at the same price as the energy sold by the distributors. This generates a deficit that affects its operational capacity, and this cost is ultimately borne by users without solar panels“he insisted.
These considerations were shared through a press release, in which the representatives agreed that the net billing would allow users to be compensated with solar panels at a fair price for the energy they generate, while distributors maintain a sustainable operating margin.
- Rodriguez He also highlighted that, in countries like Chili and Hawaiiwhere this model has been implemented, the generation distributed has continued to grow significantly.
The representatives indicated that the update of the regulations should not be interpreted as a disincentive to energies renewable. “The growth of renewable In the country it has been extraordinary, with 20% of the current energy matrix coming from these sources. “We want this development to continue, but with a regulatory system that is sustainable and equitable for all,” he added.
Economic Impact of Net Metering
Cabral stressed that the impact economic The current scheme already reaches 100 million dollars annually for distributors, a figure that could triple in the coming years if adjustments are not made. “Adopting net billing is not only a fairer solution for all actors in the system, but it is also necessary to avoid further deficits and guarantee the stability of the energy sector,” he said.
ADIE and Adosea urged the Superintendence of Electricity to consider these proposals within the framework of the regulatory dialogue, highlighting the need to act promptly to implement best international practices in the country.
