The Public Utilities Authority (Electricity), with the support of the Ministry of National Infrastructures representative Doron Aharon, yesterday delayed approval of regulations for large photovoltaic (PV) facilities, against the position of Minister of National Infrastructures Uzi Landau. However, the Public Utilities Authority approved regulations for electricity production by biogas.
It is extraordinary for the Ministry of National Infrastructures representative on the Public Utilities Authority's board to vote against the position of the minister. Such a vote is legitimate, however, because the representative's primary duty is to the Public Utilities Authority.
Aharon is a radical on the Public Utilities Authority plenum on the matter of large PV facilities, belying Landau's position. Aharon supports slashing the electricity rates paid to PV facilities, despite the quotas approved in January, and which were subsequently frozen by the Ministry of Finance. The current rate is NIS 0.98 per kilowatt/hour for PV facilities smaller than 60 megawatts, and NIS 1.07 per kilowatt/hour for PV facilities larger than 60 megawatts.
Sources believe that the Public Utilities Authority will approve the regulations by the end of August. The plenum will apparently adopt a proposal to approve the proposed rates, but will set up a mechanism to gradually lower them over several years.
Large PV facility developers say the regulator's constantly changing position is severely damaging the industry.
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