Montalva Update From the Metro Newspaper
Larry Seilhamer, current Acting Secretary of State and co-author of Laws 17 and 33, recognized that compliance with the objectives of the first of the statutes is one of the priorities that the Pierluisi administration hopes to have achieved by the end of its term in 2024.
The first of the objectives of Law 17 contemplates that, by 2022, Puerto Rico generates at least 20% of its energy through renewable sources, while by 2025 the figure must have risen to 40%.
“It seems to me that we are not far from 20% in 2022. A request for proposals for 1,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy projects that are going to be competing just came out a month ago. On the other hand, although the Fiscal Oversight Board has objected, there are 16 projects running that have energy purchase agreements (renewable), totaling 593 MW, which are ready to start. The Fiscal Oversight Board limited us to 150 MW (but) if those 593 MW were met, we are already within 20% of demand at present.
There are projects that are ready and that are going to be managed that, I am optimistic, will place us close to the established parameters, ”said the official, pointing out that the government will insist on the 14 objected projects, despite the analysis of the federal agency that they involve costs that violate the fiscal plan of the Electric Power Authority.