"Contain the phenomenon of virtual saturation" of the electricity networks, determined by the enormous amount of capacity reservations, which often do not correspond to the creation of the production plant. This is the objective of the latest regulatory intervention launched by the Electricity and Gas Authority (Aaeg), which modified some passages of the integrated text of active connections (Tica).
The new rules will try to trigger mechanisms that make applicants more responsible. In areas characterized by a high degree of saturation, it will be necessary to pay the network operator a network capacity reservation fee, using a bank guarantee. Another possibility will be to present the letter of guarantee at the first request of the parent company. The amount paid will be returned once the plant has been completed or in the event of interruption of the procedure for reasons not attributable to the applicant.
The AEEG explained that the problem of the virtual saturation of the electricity networks "has worsened in recent years as a result of the impetuous development of renewable sources and the exponential increase in connection requests, only partially associated with the actual development of the plants and of the widespread generation. The phenomenon, observes the AEEG, has reached significant dimensions: “compared with almost 250.000 accepted estimates for connection to the distribution and transmission networks, for 196 GW of power, only 42 GW relate to plants already connected. Of the remaining 154 GW, no less than 140 GW (attributed to 22.000 estimates) concern plants that have not yet obtained authorization for construction and operation, but which nonetheless continue to occupy capacity on the networks, generating the problem of virtual saturation”.
