ANRE removed the proposed target of 80% for 2020 regarding the deployment of smart meters for electricity to end customers by their distributors, shows an order of the regulator.
The Authority took this decision based on the lack of a relevant analysis of costs and benefits of this process. ANRE will make the cost-benefit analysis for the implementation of intelligent metering systems during 2017-2020, according to Agerpres.
ANRE representatives explain that, following the pilot projects implemented so far, the results were not uniform and the authority must conduct a cost-benefit analysis for all distribution operators. So far, ANRE approved 18 pilot projects worth nearly 69.6 million lei.
“Until 1 November 2015, the progress of the pilot projects approved by ANRE in terms of value was 83% and physically approximately 85%. (…) Post-implementation results on the benefits covered are not relevant to all pilot projects due to the very short period that passed since their completion and the reporting date on achievements (lack of relevant durations for monitoring). We appreciate there is a need for a monitoring period of at least 6 months of finalized projects to obtain data sufficient to provide eloquent premises for decision making regarding the full t ‘roll-out’”, says the order’s substantiation note.
However, cost-benefit analyzes submitted by distribution operators do not allow a full comparative analysis of the results, say ANRE representatives.
“There is no uniformity in assessing the costs and benefits of pilot projects. The results of cost-benefit analyzes are positive for Enel, E.ON Distribuție Romania and FDEE DTransilvania Sud and negative for CEZ Distribuție. We deem necessary ANRE to conduct a detailed cost-benefit analysis model and, as discussed in the Regulatory Committee meeting dated 22.12.2015, ANRE to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for all distribution operators by means of a consultant/third party in order to avoid accusations of lack of transparency or lack of objectivity”, shows the authority.