Fonte: ANEELIt startstomorrow (02) – the deadline for submission of contributions to the Public Hearing 003/2012, whose objective is to review the Research and Development Program (P&D)Technical Manual, from the Electrical Energy Sector, version 2008. The Manual contains the policies and guidelines for the preparation of projects in P&D.

One of the public’s proposals isthat of making the initial assessment of the project less stringent due to the complexity of analyzing the reasonableness of the investment from a brief description of the project. Another suggestion is to extend the deadline for forwarding the results of the final project for the company from 90 to 120 days.

By law,concessionaires, licensees or authorized distributors, transmission and generation of electrical energy must annually apply a minimum percentage of their net operating revenue in the Program for Research and Development of the Electrical Energy Sector. It lies with ANEEL to regulate investment in the program, to monitor the execution of projects and to evaluate the results. Those who generate exclusively from small hydropower plants (PCHs), biomass, qualified cogeneration, or wind or solar plants are exempted from the obligation to invest in P&D.

Contributions maybe sent until 16/03 to the email ap003_2012@aneel.gov.br, by fax (61) 2192-8839 or to the Agency address (SGAN, Quadra 603, Módulo I, Térreo, Protocolo Geral, CEP: 70830-030), in Brasília (DF). A face-to-face meeting to discuss the issue will also be held on 14/03, in Curitiba (PR). The location and time of the session will be released at a later date. (PG / DB)