Electricity Generation Efficiency

The government has implemented measures to encourage the development of more efficient or carbon free electricity production, including co-generation, small hydroelectric production and generation using other renewable energy sources. The formula for payments of capacity and energy supplied to the grid by new co-generators was set in 1999. Monthly payments are a function of performance and availability. An environment premium is added if thermal efficiency of the plant is at least equal to the most efficient combined-cycle. As with efficient electricity generation, the legislation approved for the payments of electricity from renewables is based on a market value associated to the environmental benefits (avoided carbon) obtained from renewable based electricity.