The Association of Renewable Energy Generators (AGER), in a statement published this Thursday, June 18, asked the Government, Congress and the country’s municipal authorities to guarantee legal certainty for the development of electricity generation projects in the country.
The AGER recognizes that there are currently “obstacles” due to the uncertainty generated by the discretion for the issuance of municipal and construction licenses, as well as alleged charges “that exceed what is reasonable”, exceeding the limits established by law. The above, explains AGER, “is hindering the development of energy projects for the country.”
AGER represents 82 partners in the sector, which represents more than 90% of the renewable energy produced in the country. The uncertainty generated by the exceptional requirements that some municipal administrations are facing, as they explain, puts at risk the generation of more projects, at a time when energy demand “is growing at a historic rate.”
According to AGER, these discretions originated by municipal administrations affect investors, but also “compromise the country’s ability to meet the growing demand for electricity, attract productive investment and sustain its competitiveness.”
Although the Association points out that it “recognizes and values municipal autonomy and decentralization”, the exercise of these “must be consistent with current legislation and national public policy”, which allows guaranteeing the conditions for the development of the electricity generation sector.
AGER asks that the State’s administrative authorities, at all levels, be able to strengthen inter-institutional coordination and promote transparent, agile and predictable processes, because “Guatemala needs legal security to transform investments in energy into employment, competitiveness and development for communities.”
They add up
AGER’s position joins a statement issued by the Guatemalan Chamber of Industry (CIG), published last Wednesday, June 17, in which it also demands legal certainty for electricity generation and transmission projects.
The Chamber pointed out that some projects face delays due to those decisions “outside the law” made by some municipal corporations, which is why it is urgent that clear rules be established for the development of investments.
The pronouncement of the industrial sector occurs within the framework of the statements of directors of the National Electric Energy Commission (CNEE), which they offered during a summons in Congress. There it was stated that the delays in the development of the electrical transmission network derive from decisions by mayors who, based on municipal autonomy, violate legal certainty. They added during that summons that it also affects energy generation companies that, after having all the studies, can no longer carry out their projects because the mayor requests unregulated payments.
The Chamber states in a statement that the Political Constitution of the Republic recognizes electrification as “a national priority that must be promoted through coordination between the State, municipalities and private initiative”; but he noted that both transmission and electricity generation projects face delays due to mayoral decisions.