|
Portugal PV technology status and prospects Pedro Sassetti Paes, Labelec - EDP group |
home
> annual reports
> annual report
2002 > |
The Portuguese energy system is characterized by:
In 2001, the government launched a new energy policy instrument –the E4 Programme (Energy Efficiency and Endogenous Energies), consisting of a set of multiple, diversified measures aimed at promoting a consistent, integrated approach to energy supply and demand. By promoting energy efficiency and the use of endogenous energy sources, the programme seeks to upgrade the competitiveness of the Portuguese economy and to modernize the country’s social fabric, while simultaneously preserving the environment by reducing gas emissions, especially the CO2 responsible for climatic change.
Aiming at simultaneously assuring the security of supply, reducing the energy bill and preserving the environment, the E4 strategy relies upon three main lines of action:
While in the past 5 years the main priorities were focused on the introduction of natural gas (aiming at progressively substituting oil and coal in the energy balance) and liberalization of the energy market (by opening this former state-owned sector to competition and private investment), the emphasis for the next 8-10 years will be put on energy efficiency (supply and demand sides) and exploitation of endogenous (renewable) energy.
[ Top ]
The goals for 2010 are:
A set of initiatives (legislation, incentive schemes) have been introduced in 2001/2002, aiming at stimulating the market (private investors), not only for RES electricity, but also for CHP, solar thermal use and building energy efficiency, namely:
PV R&D activities are carried out by Universities and National Laboratories (e.g.,
INETI – National Institute for Engineering and Industry Technology) and mainly
address amorphous and thin film crystalline silicon technologies.
Applied research, demonstration and dissemination also involve Universities and Public Research Laboratories (INETI), as well as Energy Agencies (ADENE and regional agencies), utilities and associations such as SPES (National Solar Energy Society) and APISOLAR (manufacturer and installer association). Demonstration systems concern mainly remote electrification and professional system applications (TV and telephone repeaters, parking meters, water pumping), as well as some of the few grid-connected systems.
[ Top ]
Financial incentives for renewables and energy efficiency applications are available under the POE programme (2000-2006) – III EC Framework Programme. Grants are provided on the basis of energy and environmental value of the projects, typically ranging from 20 % to 40 % of the total eligible costs, with a maximum of 150 kEUR per application. The total indicative budget for renewables and co-generation projects is 350 MEUR for the whole period.
Indirect market development incentives for renewables are also available: reduction of VAT rate from 17 % to 12 % on renewable equipment, custom duties exemption and income tax reductions.
This new legal and incentive framework has already contributed to an increased interest in PV applications, of which 2 initiatives deserve a special emphasis:
Non government institutions and private companies are also involved in PV implementation:
There are two solar type and stationary battery manufacturers (SPAT, AUTOSIL).
A dozen companies are supplying and installing PV modules and BOS components imported from the EU, USA and Japan. A few of these companies produce power electronics for stand-alone PV applications (small charge regulators, ballasts, etc.).
[ Top ]
The effect of the new framework is still not visible in the market development: apart from the significant growth occurred in 1999, thanks to the BP Sunflower programme, the market seems to
stabilize at around 150-200 kWp installed power per year, mainly
in stand-alone applications.
[ Top ]
Table 1. Installed PV power in Portugal (1990-2001)
| Year | Stand-alone [kWp] | Grid-connected [kWp] | Total annual power [kWp] | Cumulative [kWp] |
| 1990 | 55 | 55 | 79 | |
| 1991 | 43 | 43 | 122 | |
| 1992 | 47 | 47 | 169 | |
| 1993 | 40 | 10 | 50 | 219 |
| 1994 | 40 | 40 | 259 | |
| 1995 | 75 | 2 | 77 | 336 |
| 1996 | 88 | 88 | 424 | |
| 1997 | 98 | 5 | 103 | 527 |
| 1998 | 100 | 21 | 121 | 648 |
| 1999 | 100 | 146 | 246 | 894 |
| 2000 | 142 | 33 | 175 | 1 069 |
| 2001 | 128 | 51 | 179 | 1 248 |
| Total by end 2001 | 980 | 268 | 1 248 | |
| Percentage | 79% | 21% |
The Portuguese strategy for the promotion of renewables, introduced by the E4
Programme, created a favorable legal framework and incentive schemes which will
likely contribute to meet the targets agreed under the EU Directive on the promotion
of electricity from RES in the internal electricity market. Wind will form the
bulk of the new installed power (3 000 MW) over the next 8 years, while PV’s contribution
is set to increase from the current level of about 1,5 MW to 50 MW by 2010.
This target will be reached earlier if the 64 MW power plant, under development, will be realized. However, a few critical barriers still remain for the widespread of PV in the built environment: PV price, equipment and installers’ certification, low voltage grid-interconnection legislation, building codes for PV integration.
[ Top ]