Last October 10, Decree 6092\/2016 was enacted, which highlights in its recital the importance of energy as a factor of economic growth, industrial development and social progress, as well as the indispensability of the development of State policies that are aimed at meeting the energy needs of the population and all productive sectors, with criteria of quality, socio-environmental responsibility and efficiency.
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The aforementioned decree defines the country's Energy Policy for the next 25 years. Given its strategic location, Paraguay occupies a central place in regional integration and should aim at the sustainable use of its natural resources to obtain clean and renewable energy.
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To achieve this goal, through the effective implementation and monitoring of the Energy Policy, five key overarching objectives have been established for the National Electricity Sector:
a) Guarantee energy security based on the following criteria: self-sufficiency, efficiency, minimum cost and socio-environmental responsibility;
b) Ensure access to quality energy for the entire population with attention to consumer rights;
c) Use national energy sources;
d) To consolidate Paraguay's position as a hub of regional energy integration; and
e) To promote understanding of the importance of energy and its sustainable use.
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In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the Annex to Decree 6092\/16 establishes the following methodology for the development of the energy policy:
First, the higher and specific objectives of the National Energy Sector are defined in accordance with the vision of the energy policy, and then the objectives -both higher and specific- of the different energy sub-sectors are established.
Thus, the National Energy Sector and its four subsectors are duly framed, which are:
Electrical subsector,
Binational hydroelectric entities and electricity integration,
Bioenergy and alternative sources, and
Hydrocarbons,
indicating that there is a correspondence between the specific objectives of each subsector with those of the National Energy Sector (see Table 2 of the Annex to Decree No. 6092\/2016).
To better organize the action plans proposed by the standard, three strategic axes are defined (see Table 1), with their respective strategic lines, instruments and goals for the short (2017-2023), medium (2024-2030) and long term (2031-2040).
Among the strategic lines, instruments and goals of great relevance detailed in the Annex to Decree 6092\/16 -especially those related to the regulatory, institutional and financial areas- we can highlight the following:
Regarding the National Energy Sector: the creation of a Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy, the creation of the National Energy System (SISNAE) through the enactment of a Law of creation and its corresponding regulations, a strengthening plan for the National Council of Public Companies (CONAPE) and a Law of competitiveness of public companies in the energy sector, ANDE's management contracts with CONAPE, PETROPAR's management contracts with CONAPE, guaranteeing public and private financing for maintenance investments, modernization, infrastructure expansion and technological development, the legal framework for environmental safeguards (with emphasis on energy issues).
Regarding binational hydroelectric entities: the creation of a National Infrastructure Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNIDES), which will be - according to the strategic lines of the financing plan - an institution that will channel resources originating in the sector for the development of infrastructure in the country to support economic development, the approval of a Law on the use of additional financial resources from the energy sector, a strategy for the renegotiation of Annex C of the EBY, a Strategic Plan for the commercialization of Paraguayan Energy from the Paran\u00e1 hydroelectric complex (Paraguay\/Argentina; EBY and future CHB) and Itaip\u00fa Binacional, the revision of the 1979 tripartite agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding the Electricity Subsector: a National Plan for internal commercialization of electric energy 2017-2023, a National Plan of auctions for Electric Energy contracting, the promotion of electricity in the Energy Matrix, an electric mobility program in the public sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the area of Bioenergy and alternative sources: the strengthening of INFONA, the creation of national funds for the development of renewable energy, the approval of a law for the independent generation of electric energy, the preparation of regulations for the transportation of electric energy, distributed generation and energy transactions with independent producers, the promotion of alternative energy sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n