Congress did not debate the law that lowered the cost of electricity for more than 2 million SMEs

The Peruvian Association of Renewable Energies (SPR) requested that the Permanent Commission of the Congress of the Republic give priority, in the session of July 18, to the debate and approval of PL 4565, which seeks to contain the imminent increase in electricity rates. Originally, it was to be debated this Thursday, July 4.

According to the data shared by the Association of Winegrowers of Peru (ABP), in a recent letter sent to Congress, this regulation will benefit more than half a million SMEs nationwide, including wineries that generate more than 2 million direct jobs.

This law would be aimed at opening up competition in the Peruvian electricity market and allowing free participation in generation with renewable energy resources such as solar and wind, which is cheaper, which will help to initially reduce by 16% the electricity rates paid by more than 8 million Peruvian families, as indicated by Osinergmin and the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem).

It is also important to note that, in the last 10 years, due to the lack of options such as renewable energy, the electricity rates paid by wineries and small businesses have increased by 32%, according to data from Osinergmin, a trend that will continue to rise if the electrical system does not incorporate new competitors with cheap generation such as renewable energy.

Brendan Oviedo, president of the SPR, expressed the association’s concern at the exclusion of this crucial project from the current legislative agenda.

“We face remarkably high electricity costs, placing us among the countries with the highest rates in Latin America. This directly impacts our operational and economic capacity, putting at risk the sustainability of thousands of wineries throughout the country,” he noted.

SPR: Small companies pay more for electricity than large companies

According to data from Osinergmin, the cost of generation for the regulated market is considerably higher (US$80 per MWh) than for large consumers (US$50 per MWh), which is disadvantageous to small and medium-sized companies such as wineries.

“We urgently need access to more competitive prices. The integration of renewable energies into our energy mix is ​​a viable solution to achieve this,” said Oviedo.

In this regard, the approval of PL 4565 is crucial to establish a regulatory framework that guarantees more affordable electricity rates for all productive sectors of the country and encourages investment in renewable energy.

Finally, the SPR reaffirmed its commitment to the sustainable and economic development of the country, trusting that Congress will act quickly to include this project in the legislative agenda, as a fundamental measure to improve competitiveness and reduce the operating costs of its partners.