The self-producers of energy are 1760 photovoltaic plants with a capacity of 160 MW

2024-02-22 07:44:00, Aktualitet CNA

The self-producers of energy are 1760 photovoltaic plants with a capacity of 160

The number of entities that install photovoltaic plants for self-consumption has been increasing from year to year.

The official data of OSHEE Group shows that this number has reached 1760 (figure generated by the system on 18.01.2024) while the total installed capacity is calculated at around 160 MW.

The category of self-producers consists mainly of businesses in the free market, which in order to reduce their energy bills have been encouraged over the years to bear part of the consumption from the production of their plants.

According to the legal framework, any interested entity that meets the necessary conditions can install and connect to the network a photovoltaic plant that must not exceed the capacity of 500 kWp.

The amount of energy produced by this plant can be used by the business and surpluses, when there are any, can be thrown into the network and used by the business at a second moment when the need for consumption is higher than the production.

Currently, self-producers are operating through an annual balance which was established from last year with the change of the relevant instruction.

This balance, which was previously monthly, is more convenient, allowing businesses to use the balances anytime within the 12-month period, rather than the following month as it used to be.

The legal changes foresee that this group will be treated through the net billing scheme, but for this to take effect, the by-laws of the law "for renewable energy sources" must be approved. These acts have not yet been issued, but with their approval, it is foreseen that another price will be set for the surpluses produced by the business and thrown into the network.

Interest in the installation of photovoltaic plants for self-production continues to remain high even at present due to the possibility that this investment gives to reduce energy bills and to return in a short time.

Previously, the return on investment was calculated for a period of up to 7 years, but the increase in energy prices and the reduction of financing costs in recent years has made the return on investment go from 2-2.5 years.

The highest interest remains from businesses connected to 35 kilovolts and those to 20 kilovolts that are currently on the free market as a result of the liberalization process, but there is also demand for similar projects from businesses connected to lower voltages such as 10 kv and 6 kv./ Monitor.al