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Circon Renewable Energy LLC, located in Texas, has requested certification from the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) to operate as an energy power company, aiming to construct a 340-megawatt combined cycle power generation facility and to offer wheeling services.
The PREB found that the certificate provided by the company was lacking and had inconsistencies. The authority allowed 30 days for the company to address these issues.
A 340 MW combined cycle facility can usually supply electricity to around 340,000 average-sized households, contingent on factors like average household electricity usage and peak demand in the served region. Combined cycle plants primarily run on natural gas, though in certain configurations, other fuels such as oil or hydrogen may also be utilized.
In a PREB ruling dated October 30, the authority noted that the company submitted, among other documents, a certificate of fact from the Texas secretary of state, a certificate allowing business operations in Puerto Rico, a certificate of good standing from the Puerto Rico secretary of state, and a letter clarifying that no affiliates are providing electric services in Puerto Rico, among several other documents.
The PREB indicated that Act No. 57-2014 mandates that all electric service providers obtain a certification and submit specific information as per the guidelines set by the authority.
“Circon submitted a variety of documents that contain information mandated by Sections 2.01 and 3.03 of Regulation 8701,” stated the PREB. “However, the Energy Bureau has observed several significant discrepancies and shortcomings in the submission.”
For example, the authority pointed out that Circon provided conflicting classifications for its generation service: In Form NEPR-B03, Circon indicated “fossil fuel or renewable energy generation with aggregated capacity of one hundred (100) MW or less,” while in another form, the company stated “fossil fuel or renewable energy generation with aggregated capacity of more than one hundred (100) MW.”
“This inconsistency impacts the relevant regulatory requirements and fee structure as outlined in Section 2.03 of Regulation 8701,” the PREB remarked.
The authority approved Circon’s request for confidential treatment of select documents.
“After thorough evaluation of Circon’s Application for Certification as an Electric Service Company, as well as an Independent Power Producer and Retail Electricity Supplier, the Energy Bureau concludes that the Application is incomplete and does not fully satisfy the criteria outlined in Regulation 8701,” the PREB stated.
