Self-producers of energy, net billing from January 1 but still no price

2024-01-02 08:57:00, Ekonomi CNA

Differential pricing net billing is supposed to officially start this Monday (January 1, 2024).

According to the legal changes made during the past year but also the reports that the government made to the Secretariat of the Energy Community, this scheme should be implemented, but still today there is no approved price that will be paid to self-producers. The latter must be approved by the Energy Regulatory Authority in accordance with the methodology approved by the government.

In point 4 of the ninth 20, which stops at self-proehs that are entities with an installed capacity of up to 500 kwp, it is stated that this price should provide fair compensation for this category.

"The price of electricity generated by the self-producers of renewable energy must ensure a fair compensation that reflects the market value of the energy supplied to the network and will avoid cross-subsidies or unfair discrimination between the self-producer of renewable energy and other consumers . The price of electricity also takes into account the costs incurred for transmission, distribution and balancing of the system. The price for the electricity generated by self-producers of renewable energy is determined by ERE in accordance with the methodology determined by the decision of the Council of Ministers, with the proposal of the minister" the law sanctions.

Earlier, the Secretariat of the Energy Community cited that a net metering is currently in effect that enables consumers to operate renewable energy installations with a maximum capacity of 500 kU.

"Albania has included amendments to the Law on Renewable Resources, which describes a transition to net billing for renewable energies for self-consumption, scheduled to begin on January 1, 2024. These amendments guarantee the inclusion of citizens in renewable energy communities while maintaining their privileges and responsibilities as end consumers" is stated in the last report of the secretariat, which also includes Albania.

After the approval of the law on the promotion of renewable energy, the way was opened for the approval of its accompanying by-laws to make it applicable, but still some of them remain in the process. From July 2023 OSHEE announced to self-producers that the net balance would be reflected on the customer's monthly bill. According to OSHEE, at least 61% of self-producing consumers who have installed photovoltaic plants are active in the regions of Tirana and Durrës.

Sources from the market told Monitor that this net balance has been applied while it remains to be seen what happens with the net billing scheme. Over 1250 subjects are registered as self-producers in the distribution network./Revista Monitor