sou · GWB313 · 2009-01-01 00:00:00 — Fram till den tidpunkten ska innehavare av elproduktionsanläggningar som kan leverera en effekt om högst 1 500 kW för överföring av el endast betala den del av avgiften enligt nättariffen som motsvarar den årliga kostnaden för mätning, beräkning och rapportering på nät- koncessionshavarens nät. Från betalar elprodu- centen enligt förslaget full årlig nätavgift. Med detta förslag får nätföretagen in betydligt större intäkter från den småskaliga elproduktionen . En konsekvens blir att även vissa nya storskaliga elproduktionsanläggningar kommer att betala en lägre avgift för överföring av el än med dagens förutsätt- ningar men man måste då beakta att många ändå kommer att komma ner under 3-öresnivån även utan begränsning. Utan förslaget att ta bort undantaget för småskalig elproduktion skulle dock många nya anläggningar byggas med en effekt om högst 1 500 kW för att slippa avgiften. Utredningens förslag om att ersätta undantaget för små- skalig elproduktion med en tariffbegränsning bedöms resultera i att utbyggnaden av elsystemet blir mer rationell. Begränsningen är en viktig signal till att nya elproducenter senare kommer att be- tala full tariff, vilket ger incitament att ansluta elproduktionsanlägg- ningen på ett så kostnadseffektivt sätt som möjligt. I det svenska elnätet, med stor skillnad mellan produktion och konsumtion i olika regioner, är det viktigt att den ekonomiska styrningen till var ny elproduktion ska placeras finns kvar i tariffen. Om skulle fatta beslut om en förändring av elcertifikats- systemet och detta skulle leda till prisökningar på certifikaten så kompenseras elproducenterna för den tariffökning som avskaffan- det av 1,5 MW-gränsen medför. Om prisökningen på elcertifikaten blir lika stor som kostnadsökningen för nättariffen så behövs ingen ytterligare kompensation i form av det förslag som utredningen lagt om ett tak på . Detta eftersom även nya elproduktions- anläggningar som erhåller elcertifikat kommer att få del i höjningen av certifikatspriset. har regionnätsföretagen möjlighet att välja mellan att ta ut kanaltariff eller medelvärdesbildad punkttariff av elproducenterna. För att ge incitament till att nyttja näten rationellt föreslår utred- ningen att kanaltariffer ska vara obligatoriska på regionnät. Timvis mätning, beräkning och rapportering – förslag om undantag för små elproducenter (se avsnitt 4.6) Huvudskälet till att införa ett undantag från timvis mätning för små produktionsanläggningar är, enligt utredningen, den höga kostnad som hanteringen medför som den inte står i proportion till den ringa mängd el som produceras i anläggningar av denna storlek. Kostnaden för hanteringen av timvärden utgör ett avgörande hinder för att investeringar i små anläggningar ska bli av och utan timvis mätning kan anläggningarna med dagens lagstiftning inte heller bli berättigade till elcertifikat. SERO uppskattar att det fanns 400TPF1FPT småskaliga produktionsanläggningar som inte var anslutna till 1TP PT Elforsk rapport 06:48 Villkor för försäljning av el från nätanslutna solcellsanläggningar – nuläge och förbättringförslag. elcertifikatssystemet på grund av för höga mätnings- och rapporte- ringskostnader. Med utredningens förslag förtydligas också rättig- heten för producenter att själva stå för mätning av rapportering till elcertifikatssystemet vilket innebär att denna tjänst utsätts för kon- kurrens. Utredningen föreslår således att det i ellagen (1997:857) införs ett undantag så att produktionsanläggningar som är anslutna till lågspän- ning med en säkringsnivå om högst inte behöver mätas och rapporteras över tiden. För dessa anläggningar ska schablon- metod tillämpas vid mätning och rapportering. Elproducenten har dock rätt att kräva timvis mätning och rapportering men då har nät- ägaren rätt att ta betalt för detta. För den som är elanvändare på års- basis, men samtidig elproducent ska endast en abonnemangsavgift debiteras. Den av nettokonsumtionen respektive nettoproduktionen som uppnår högst effekt på årsbasis bestämmer vilken abonnemangs- nivå som ska gälla. Utredningen föreslår att det i lag (2003:113) om elcertifikat införs ett undantag så att produktionens fördelning över tiden inte behöver anges för produktionsanläggningar som är anslutna till lågspänning med en säkringsnivå om högst . För dessa ska schablon- metod användas. Dessutom föreslås att det införs en möjlighet för innehavare av små produktionsanläggningar att själva svara för den mätning och rapportering som ligger till grund för tilldelningen av elcertifikat. Förslag om beaktande av nätförluster på regionnät vid tariffsättning (se kap. 4.7) På regionnät föreslår utredningen att en elproduktionsanläggnings påverkan på nätförlusterna ska beräknas som dess marginella påver- kan, dvs. enligt samma metod som tillämpas av på stamnätsnivå. Utredningen föreslår att får i upp- drag av regionnätsföretagen att genomföra beräkningarna. Syftet med förslaget är att få till stånd en likartad och rättvis beräkning av förlusterna på regionnät samt att elproducenter anslutna till region- respektive stamnät behandlas på ett likartat sätt. Genom att fastställa en metod för hur beräkningarna ska genomföras ökar också trans- parensen. Avbrottsersättning till elproducenter och effektbegränsning (se kap. 4.8 och 4.9) Utredningen har tagit upp och diskuterat frågor rörande avbrotts- ersättning och effektbegränsning men lämnar här inte några förslag. The overall objective under the terms of reference of the is to promote the development of renewable electricity production. The electricity certificate system is absolutely crucial for the amount of renewable electricity produced in in the future. It is not part of this Inquirys remit to evaluate the electricity certificate system. However, the proposals presented by the Inquiry are expected to lead to more favourable conditions for renewable electricity production. Indirectly, this may lead to in- creased production since the introduction of renewable electricity can take place at a lower cost to the economy, which may increase acceptance for extending the electricity certificate system. The Inquirys proposals can be expected to lead to: self-produced electricity: The Inquiry proposes that small power plants of less than 63 amperes (which is equivalent to an output of around 44 kW) can be connected without requiring hourly metering, which will lead to significantly lower costs. Simpler and faster grid connection of plants producing re- newable electricity: The Inquiry proposes relaxed routines with regard to concession management for electricity networks and the provision of administrative guidelines for how renewable electri- city producers are to agree with network companies when con- necting to the grid. economically sound expansion of renewable electricity production: The Inquiry proposes that the present 1 500 kW limit for reduced network charges be replaced by a ceiling on the network charge of per kWh. The reason for this is to increase incentives to choose the most cost-effective power plant instead of optimising capacity so as to minimise network charges. The proposal to introduce a ceiling on network tariffs instead of the 1 500 kW limit is expected to enable the interest in expanding renewable energy in rural areas to continue to in- crease rather than drastically declining. Compulsory individually estimated tariffs based on the share of the network used by a com- pany and a defined method for estimating the impact of produc- tion plants on network losses provide incentives to connect power plants at the point in the electricity network that is right from a cost-benefit point of view. economically sound expansion of the grid: The Inquiry proposes the of a grid investment fund. This will lead to necessary investments for connecting renewable energy being able to receive funding, provided that they deliver cost bene- fits, i.e. the lowest cost per kWh renewable electricity produced. This is expected to lead to lower costs for electricity . The remit (see chapter 1) World energy use primarily consists of fossil fuels. In historical terms, consumption has never grown so rapidly as in the last three years. To achieve a long-term sustainable energy supply, the challenge thus facing us mainly involves combining radically more efficient energy use with a very sharp increase in the use of renewable types of energy. electricity supply is currently based on two strong pillars, hydro power and nuclear power. is in a very good position to be able in the future to rely on a third strong pillar consisting mainly of biofuels and wind power. This Inquiry involves exami- ning ways in which grid connection regulations for power plants in this third pillar could be improved to achieve a rational electricity supply. To increase the amount of renewable electricity production in the Swedish energy mix, an electricity certificate system has been introduced. At present, most of the indications are that this system leads to the of about the same amount of renewable pro- duction as it is designed for, i.e. at present, by 2016, com- pared with when the system was introduced. The first point in the terms of reference for this Inquiry is: Evaluate whether the current regulatory framework for renewable electricity production creates barriers to large-scale development and expansion of renewable electricity production. If it is considered that changes in the regulations are required, the Inquiry is to present proposals to this effect. The regulations that are absolutely core to large-scale development and expansion of renewable electricity production are thus the quotas and other rules of the electricity certificate system. However, the Inquiry has interpreted the terms of reference to mean that the level of the amount of certificate- entitled production, which is determined in the detailed regulations of the certificate system, is a political question that lies outside the remit of this Inquiry. If, however, large-scale development and ex- pansion of renewable electricity production is taken to mean more than by 2016, the quotas and other rules of the electricity certificate system must be changed. With reference to the first point in the Inquirys terms of re- , the purpose of this Inquiry is not to pay regard to the amount of electricity production linked to large-scale production and expansion of renewable electricity production, but rather to examine the competition between the various plants (at a given total amount) so that as rational expansion as possible is achieved. The purpose of the Inquiry is thus to bring about as economically sound an expansion of renewable electricity production as possible. One possible consequence, which is uncertain and requires political de- cisions, is that a more economically sound expansion may lead to increased political interest in allowing higher electricity certificate quotas. Renewable electricity production in (see chapter 2) In 2006, there were 1 916 plants receiving electricity certificates, i.e., plants for the production of wind power, solar electricity, small- scale hydro power and biofuel-based combined heat and power plants (CHP). The total number of plants was 2 288. Of these plants, 1 847 had a capacity less than or equal to 1.5 MW and 229 of these had a capacity that was less than or equal to 50 kW. For the actors on the market to invest in new electricity produc- tion plants, long-term and stable economic conditions are required. The revenue side consists of the price of electricity and the price of the electricity certificate. The price of electricity is not expected to fall. However, with an unchanged electricity certificate system, the electricity certificate price will be very low when the expansion of new certificate-entitled electricity production exceeds . This is equivalent to todays quota level. With a very low certificate price, no new electricity production will be built when has been reached, unless the price of electricity increases significantly. If society seeks production of renewable electricity greater than , it is therefore important that the Riksdag determines a new target for the electricity certificate system at an early stage. This applies to the significant proportion of renewable electricity production, for which the price of electricity is not a sufficient source of funding. The Inquiry has studied productivity potential assessments and forecasts of how much new, renewable electricity production can be built. What will ultimately be achieved will depend on the econo- mic conditions. Elforsk expects some 60 per cent of the fuel for CHP production in district heating to consist of biofuels by 2015, equivalent to a total electricity production of . In the long term, forecasts and productivity potential assessments show that CHP production, based both on biofuels and natural gas, may account for between 18 and of electricity per year. Neither solar cells, wave power or geothermics are expected to become part of the Swedish power system to any great extent by 2025. estimates that hydro power can increase by a total of by 2015 and according to its forecasts, wind power will produce some by 2025. There is, however, con- siderably greater potential to expand wind power. If all planned plants over 25 MW were realised, estimated wind electricity production from these plants alone would be between 17 and . International comparison (see chapter 3) To gain inspiration, the Inquiry has studied how the relevant issues are dealt with in , , and the UK. These countries show strong development with regard to renewable elec- tricity production. The comparison in this Inquiry has primarily focused on wind power, as electricity network issues are especially relevant to this technology in particular. The areas studied where the differences between existing Swedish legislation and the current situation in the four countries studied have been most marked are: The compensation level: All the four countries studied have higher levels of compensation for electricity produced by wind turbines. Network tariffs: In the countries studied, no network tariffs apply to any production in , or . This is important to note when comparing the compensation levels of different countries. Network concessions: In all four countries analysed, wind power producers themselves are allowed to build electricity lines within the wind farm and between the wind farm and the transmission/ distribution network, i.e., it is not necessary to go via a network company. Other network investments: Each country has different detailed regulations on the upgrades in the electricity grid that are to be financed either by electricity producers or network companies. Requirement for metering of small plants: There is no require- ment in , or for smaller plants to meter and submit returns on an hourly basis. Compensation for elec- tricity produced domestically is, however, often so high, that it pays to sell this electricity instead of using it to reduce ones own consumption. All of the four countries analysed have shown flexibility with regard to continuously adapting energy policy, rules and provisions to tech- nical and economic developments. However, this also applies to , as exemplified by this Inquiry. Electricity network investment funds (see chapter 4.1) The existing electricity grid has the capacity to receive a considerable increase in electricity production. However, the Inquiry has found that there is a need to solve certain bottlenecks in the electricity net- work to make it easier to expand the network in an economically sound way. This primarily concerns areas with good conditions for renewable electricity production where the initial costs for up- grading networks are higher than an individual producer can afford. The Inquiry therefore proposes the creation of a grid investment fund to finance investments in the electricity grid for future renew- able electricity production. This fund is planned to partially finance network charges for connection to plants that fulfil the criteria for being allocated electricity certificates. The electricity producer itself is to be responsible for part of the network charge for connection; the Inquirys proposal is that the point of departure for the self- financing component be million per megawatt installed. The fund will be financed via network companies and will be shared according to each companys underlying electricity consump- tion by end . The fund will be placed as a special managing body at a host agency. The Inquiry sees the and the Energy Markets Inspectorate as possible host agencies. Changes regarding network concessions (see chapter 4.2) There are a number of different circumstances connected with net- work concessions that hinder the introduction of renewable energy sources. One of them, for example, is that it is difficult to make the expansion of the necessary line capacity subject to competition. Sometimes a planned expansion leads to production and network companies finding it difficult to agree on the technical performance of the grid connection for an electricity production plant. If an electricity producer wants to build its own network independently, it is necessary to form a network company and apply for a conces- sion. This is accompanied by requirements for submitting returns and other demands which, in many cases, are considered to lead to unnecessary red-tape. Licensing procedures for production plants and electricity networks are not coordinated, which leads both to in- creased costs and unnecessarily long waits from application to start- up. With its proposals, the Inquiry aims to facilitate the licence pro- cedure and thus reduce costs and speed up processing times. For the above reasons, the Inquiry proposes that an exemption from the network concession requirement prescribed in the Act be introduced for internal networks at electricity produc- tion plants. A possibility should also be introduced for the Energy Markets Inspectorate to approve certain measures to relax require- ments for concession holders. This is a first step in making it easier and increasing predictability for new electricity producers, something that has been put forward as one of the most important factors in achieving an expansion in renewable electricity production. As a second step, the Inquiry also proposes that the Inquiry, which under its terms of reference is to conduct a review concerning concessions, analyse the advisability of implementing an amendment to the Electricity Act allowing the possibility of granting network concessions for private power lines. To facilitate the licence procedure for new power lines for re- newable electricity production, the Inquiry proposes that a provision be introduced into the Electricity Act to the effect that the Energy Markets Inspectorate will only examine the suitability of the plant and network company, provided that another agency has examined and approved their suitability on the basis of other aspects to be con- sidered under the Electricity Act. The Inquiry also proposes that the Environmental Procedures Inquiry M2007:04 be assigned the task of further reviewing the possibilities of coordinating environmental assessments and localisation issues for electricity power lines and electricity production plants, in order to simplify the licence proce- dure for new electricity production plants. Administrative guidelines for grid connection (see chapter 4.3) After instructions from the Inquiry, Swedenergy and Svensk Vind- kraft have produced trade recommendations for facilitating contacts between network companies and electricity producers in the process of connecting new electricity production plants to the grid. The issues are the same, regardless of the type of electricity production being considered, which is why the () and LRF have also endorsed the guidelines. The result, the document Administrative guidelines for grid connection (appendix 3), is to have the status of a trade recommendation. The Inquiry urges the parties to follow up the way in which the docu- ment works and how it is complied with and, where necessary, to revise it after a given period. Proposals for network tariffs and changes in exemptions for small electricity producers, the 1500 kW ceiling (see chapter 4.4 and 4.5). The Inquiry proposes that the present reduced network charge for small electricity production plants under the Electricity Act, Chap- ter 4, Section 10 be removed and replaced with a limited charge for electricity transmission for all new electricity production fulfilling the criteria for allocation of electricity certificates. The charge for transmitting electricity from these will be limited to a maximum of per kWh plus a fixed cost for the annual costs of metering, estimating and submitting returns in the concession holderss net- work, over a ten-year period. Where the ordinary tariff exceeds per kWh, the tariff will return to the ordinary level ten years after start-up. The network tariff will be determined by the network company. The Act prescribes that it must be reasonable and it is the duty of the Energy Markets Inspectorate to monitor that this is so. The ceiling concerns the charge for transmitting elec- tricity, excluding compensation for use of the network. The Inquiry proposes the introduction of transitional provisions for a set period, so as not to significantly worsen the situation for existing electricity production plants. These transitional provisions will be designed so that existing plants completed before 1 January 2007 will retain their present reduced network charge until 1 January 2015. Until this date, owners of electricity production plants that can deliver an output of a maximum of 1 500 kW for electricity trans- mission will only need to pay the part of the charge under network tariffs that corresponds to the annual cost of metering, estimating and submitting returns on the network concession holders network. Under this proposal, the electricity producer will pay the full annual network charge as of 1 January 2015. This proposal will enable network companies to receive conside- rably greater revenues from small-scale electricity production than they are receiving at present. One of the consequences will be that some new large-scale electricity production facilities will also pay a lower charge for transmitting electricity than they do under todays conditions, but it must also be borne in mind that many will pay less than the level, even without this ceiling. Without the proposal to remove the exemption for small-scale electricity produc- tion, however, many new plants would be built with a maximum output of 1 500 kW so as to avoid the charge. The Inquirys proposal to replace the exemption for small-scale electricity production with a ceiling on tariffs will enable the expansion of the electricity system to be more rational. The 10-year limit is an important signal of the fact that the new electricity producers will later pay the full tariff, which will provide incentives to connect the electricity production plant to the network in as cost-effective a as possible. In the Swedish electricity grid, where there are major differences between production and consumption in different regions, it is important that the tariff continues to act as a financial lever directing where new electricity production is to be placed. If the Riksdag were to take a decision on a change in the electri- city certificate system and this should lead to increases in the price of the certificate, the electricity producers would be compensated for the increase in tariffs resulting from the abolition of the 1 500 kW ceiling.