Its chief executive officer, Catherine Ridu, said there were insufficient quotas to meet the overwhelming response this year.
She said as at end-August 2014, SEDA has approved 4,537 applications with a total RE capacity of 811.18 megawatt (MW).
Of the applications, small hydros made up 30.37 per cent (246.34 MW); biomass 28.74 per cent (233.14 MW); solar PV for the non-individuals 25.95 per cent (210.53 MW); biogas 9.99 per cent (81.04 MW); and, solar PV for individuals 4.95 per cent (40.13 MW), she said.
“During the same period, a total of 203.09 MW of renewable energy (RE) capacity achieved commercial operation, of which 60.74 per cent is from solar PV; biomass (25.75 per cent), small hydro (7.73 per cent); and, biogas (5.78 per cent),” she said at review and dialogue session on degression rates for 2015 here today.
The degression rate refers to a gradual decrease in the tariff.
Ridu said the proposed degression rates for solar PV with installed capacities of up to 24 kilowatt (kW) would be 10 per cent, above 24 kW and up to 1MW (15 per cent) and above 1MW and up to 30 MW (20 per cent).
Additionally, the degression rate for bonus criteria for solar PV used as installation in buildings or building structures would be 20 per cent and for use as building materials it would be 80 per cent, she said.
“This revision of degression rates is necessary in order to ensure financial efficiency in managing the RE fund, a fund which is based on the collection of 1.6 per cent from the electricity consumers of Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and NUR Distribution Sdn Bhd.
“These proposed degression rates are targeted to be effective by Jan 1, 2015,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ridu said SEDA has never guaranteed any quota pre-allocation to any PV service providers or applicants.
“Many people have complained to SEDA that certain companies have been promoting solar PV sales and imposed a hefty deposit with a promise that solar PV quota can be guaranteed,” she said.
— BERNAMA
