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Res. 20831-2026 Sala Constitucional · Sala Constitucional · 09/06/2026
OutcomeResultado
The Constitutional Court grants the amparo, ordering ARESEP to issue, within two months, the tariffs and regulatory instruments required by Law 10086 for renewable distributed energy resources, and orders the State to pay costs, damages, and losses.La Sala Constitucional declara con lugar el amparo, ordenando a ARESEP emitir, en un plazo de dos meses, las tarifas e instrumentos regulatorios exigidos por la Ley 10086 para recursos energéticos distribuidos renovables, y condena al Estado al pago de costas, daños y perjuicios.
SummaryResumen
The Constitutional Court analyzes an amparo action filed by representatives of renewable distributed generation companies against the omission of the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) to issue the ancillary service tariffs and regulatory instruments mandated by Transitory Provisions I and II of Law No. 10086. The Court finds that, despite administrative actions undertaken by ARESEP, the legal deadlines expired in July 2022 and January 2023, respectively, without full compliance to date. It determines that the inactivity persists and violates fundamental rights of freedom of enterprise and environmental protection, as the delay prevents the operation of a renewable distributed generation market and weakens the effectiveness of a legal regime aimed at sustainable energy transition. The ruling orders ARESEP to comply within two months, condemning the State to pay costs, damages, and losses. One magistrate dissents, considering that legal entities are not holders of fundamental rights under the American Convention.La Sala Constitucional analiza un recurso de amparo presentado por representantes de empresas de generación distribuida renovable contra la omisión de la Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (ARESEP) en emitir las tarifas de servicios auxiliares y los instrumentos regulatorios ordenados por los Transitorios I y II de la Ley Nº 10086. La Sala constata que, pese a las acciones administrativas emprendidas por ARESEP, los plazos legales se vencieron en julio de 2022 y enero de 2023, respectivamente, sin que a la fecha exista un cumplimiento integral. Determina que la inactividad persiste y afecta derechos fundamentales de libertad de empresa y la tutela del ambiente, en tanto la demora impide la operación de un mercado de generación distribuida renovable y debilita la eficacia de un régimen legal orientado a la transición energética sostenible. La sentencia ordena a ARESEP cumplir en un plazo de dos meses, condenando al Estado al pago de costas, daños y perjuicios. Un magistrado salva el voto por considerar que las personas jurídicas no son titulares de derechos fundamentales en los términos de la Convención Americana.
Key excerptExtracto clave
Thus, although the report of the respondent authority shows the various actions carried out by ARESEP to comply with the transitory provisions of Law No. 10086, it is no less true that a disproportionate period has elapsed, aggravated by the persistence of the uncertainty and insecurity alleged by the petitioners. … Precisely in environmental matters, the State is not only obliged to react to damage already caused, but also to deploy timely and effective actions aimed at preventing, reducing or controlling risks of harm, in accordance with the preventive and precautionary principles that inform the content of Article 50 of the Political Constitution. These principles impose on public authorities the duty to act proactively in scenarios where the absence or postponement of state measures may compromise the consolidation of mechanisms aimed at favoring environmentally sustainable development models, as occurs in this matter with the implementation of the regulatory regime oriented to promote the integration of distributed energy resources based on renewable sources. … Consequently, the appeal is granted with the consequences indicated in the operative part of this decision.Así las cosas, si bien del análisis del informe de la autoridad recurrida se observan las distintas acciones que se han ejecutado por parte del ARESEP para dar cumplimiento a las disposiciones transitorias de la ley nro. 10086, no menos cierto es que ha transcurrido un plazo desproporcionado, con el agravante de que persiste la incertidumbre y la inseguridad alegada por los recurrentes. … Precisamente en materia ambiental, el Estado no solo se encuentra obligado a reaccionar frente a daños ya consumados, sino también a desplegar actuaciones oportunas y eficaces orientadas a evitar, reducir o controlar riesgos de afectación, conforme a los principios preventivo y precautorio que informan el contenido del artículo 50 de la Constitución Política. Dichos principios imponen a los poderes públicos deberes de actuación anticipada frente a escenarios en los cuales la ausencia o postergación de medidas estatales puede comprometer la consolidación de mecanismos dirigidos a favorecer modelos de desarrollo ambientalmente sostenibles, como ocurre en el presente asunto con la implementación del régimen normativo orientado a promover la integración de recursos energéticos distribuidos basados en fuentes renovables. … En consecuencia, se declara con lugar el recurso con las consecuencias que se indican en la parte dispositiva de este pronunciamiento.
Pull quotesCitas destacadas
"Precisamente en materia ambiental, el Estado no solo se encuentra obligado a reaccionar frente a daños ya consumados, sino también a desplegar actuaciones oportunas y eficaces orientadas a evitar, reducir o controlar riesgos de afectación, conforme a los principios preventivo y precautorio que informan el contenido del artículo 50 de la Constitución Política."
"Precisely in environmental matters, the State is not only obliged to react to damage already caused, but also to deploy timely and effective actions aimed at preventing, reducing or controlling risks of harm, in accordance with the preventive and precautionary principles that inform the content of Article 50 of the Political Constitution."
Considerando III
"Precisamente en materia ambiental, el Estado no solo se encuentra obligado a reaccionar frente a daños ya consumados, sino también a desplegar actuaciones oportunas y eficaces orientadas a evitar, reducir o controlar riesgos de afectación, conforme a los principios preventivo y precautorio que informan el contenido del artículo 50 de la Constitución Política."
Considerando III
Full documentDocumento completo
Review of the Document CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at nine thirty hours on the ninth of June of two thousand twenty-six.
Amparo appeal filed by [Name 001], identity card [Value 001], [Name 002], identity card [Value 002], and [Name 003], identity card [Value 003], against the PUBLIC SERVICES REGULATORY AUTHORITY (ARESEP).
Whereas:
The appellants allege a purported omission on the part of ARESEP, due to an alleged failure to comply with Transitorios I and II of Ley 10086, which has resulted in the alleged violation of the appellants' fundamental rights to freedom of enterprise.
THE TECHNICAL-LEGAL NATURE OF REGULATION UNDER LAW No. 10086 AND THE LEGALITY FRAMEWORK (BLOQUE DE LEGALIDAD) The Law for the Promotion and Regulation of Distributed Energy Resources (No. 10086) does not constitute a mechanically applied or automatically executed norm. On the contrary, it represents a paradigm shift in the architecture of the National Electric System (SEN), the implementation of which demands from this Regulatory Authority an exercise of extremely complex technical and juridical balancing. The regulatory function, in this context, is not exhausted in the simple issuance of an administrative act, but rather in the creation of a normative ecosystem that simultaneously guarantees economic efficiency, service continuity, operational security, cost-of-service, and the financial equilibrium of all system actors. Hence, ARESEP is subject to a rigorous Legality Framework (Bloque de Legalidad) (Articles 11 of the Political Constitution and 11 of the General Law of Public Administration).
By virtue of this, any tariff setting or technical provision derived from Law 10086 must be mandatorily preceded by robust technical studies that ensure compliance with the Principle of Cost-of-Service, as stipulated in Article 31 of Law No. 7593. This principle is not a mere guideline, but an insurmountable limit on administrative discretion: ARESEP is legally prohibited from issuing tariffs based on mere expectations, unfounded projections, or incomplete data, under penalty of incurring actions non-conforming to the legal order.
The nature of regulation under Law 10086 implies the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) into an electrical grid that was designed under a centralized model. Therefore, the creation of tariffs for "auxiliary services" (part of the object of the appellants' complaint) entails the technical identification of backup costs, frequency and voltage regulation, tasks that demand absolute technical precision so as not to transfer inefficient costs to users. Consequently, the time the Administration takes in the instruction of these files should not be interpreted as an "omission," but rather as the manifestation of the duty of due diligence, and the observance of the Principle of Cost-of-Service (Principio del servicio al costo). Issuing a hasty regulation, without the definitive technical inputs and without the due process that guarantees the security of the SEN, would constitute a gross violation of the constitutional mandate of efficiency and user protection. Regulation, under Law 10086, is a process of legal and economic engineering that cannot be sacrificed for the particular urgencies of private subjects who have not accredited a real injury to their sphere of rights.
The thesis of the appellant party regarding a supposed administrative "omission" is disproven by the exhaustive examination of the administrative files that were opened by this Regulatory Authority to comply with the legislator's provision. In this sense, it can be verified from the administrative files that ARESEP has executed an uninterrupted chain of technical and legal acts, the documentary traceability of which is as follows:
A. ON THE TARIFFS FOR AUXILIARY SERVICES (TRANSITORIO I): In relation to the setting of auxiliary service tariffs applicable to distributed generators concerning Transitorio I, the legislator started from the premise that, at the time Law No. 10086 entered into force, a "Tariff Methodology for the remuneration of auxiliary services in the National Electric System (SEN)" already existed, established by ARESEP through resolution RE-0195-JD-2021 of August 17, 2021, published in Alcance Digital No. 173 to La Gaceta No. 169 of September 2, 2021. Therefore, it was assumed that when Law No. 10086 was issued, the legislator understood that since said existing and applicable tariff methodology existed, it could immediately cover the tariffs for auxiliary services related to distributed energy resource providers. However, this was not the case, given that when that methodology was issued in 2021, Law No. 10086 did not exist (it was published on January 7, 2022), and therefore, such methodological instrument did not contemplate matters related to distributed energy resource providers.
Due to the foregoing, in attention to the provisions of this Transitorio, in order to set the auxiliary service tariffs applicable to distributed energy resource providers, ARESEP had to first begin by modifying the existing tariff methodology (RE-0195-JD-2021) and initiate an administrative procedure so that, going forward, the methodology would include these services in the tariff setting. The preliminary analysis to identify the best way to propose the modification in question was initially processed through restricted file PIRM-006-2023, while, once the proposal was developed, it was processed through to its final approval via file IRM-001-2024. Once said procedure was processed, resolution RE-0023-JD-2026 was finally issued on March 11, 2026, published in Alcance No. 27 to La Gaceta No. 50 of March 13, 2026, whereby ARESEP ordered the partial modification of the existing tariff methodology (RE-0195-JD-2021), in order to include the provisions of Law No. 10086 and its regulation, making modifications regarding: i) Section 1. Scope, ii) Section 3. Calculation Model, in its Equation 1 (secondary reserve tariff) and Equation 3 (tertiary reserve tariff), iii) Section 4. Settlement of auxiliary services, in its Equations 5 and 13, iv) Section 5. Calculation Periodicity and v) Adding a transitory provision.
The processing of this procedure for the partial modification of the existing tariff methodology (RE-0195-JD-2021) did not have minor incidents, since although once ARESEP had, in addition to Law No. 10086, its respective Regulation, it proceeded, one month later, with the commencement of the corresponding tasks. As observed in detail in the recitals of resolution RE-0023-JD-2026, said procedure was duly processed, the necessary preliminary proposal was available, according to report IN-0079-CDR-2023 of December 11, 2023 (folios 46 to 89, file IRM-001-2024), which was submitted to a virtual public hearing on April 19, 2024, as recorded in minutes AC-0372-DGAU-2024 of April 23, 2024 (folio 113, file IRM-001-2024). Once said partial modification proposal was known in the public hearing, the procedure continued and finally, the post-public hearing technical report, IN-00033-CDR-2024 of June 27, 2024 (folios 137 to 180, IRM-001-2024), was made available, such that when it was known by the Board of Directors of ARESEP, in ordinary session No. 63-2024 of August 7, 2024, the following agreement was taken: "AGREEMENT 05-63-2024 I. Continue with the knowledge of this point in a future session.
II. Request the Energy Intendancy and the Directorate General Center for Regulation Development (CDR) to present to this Board of Directors scenarios on the effects of the application of the 'Tariff Methodology for the remuneration of auxiliary services in the National Electric System (SEN)' issued through resolution RE-0195-JD-2021 and its modification proposal, within a maximum period of three months counted from the communication of this agreement. III. Communicate this agreement to the Energy Intendancy and the Directorate General Center for Regulation Development (CDR)." Said agreement was communicated through official letter OF-0611-SJD-2024 of August 14, 2024. As can be noted, prior to the final decision on the partial modification proposal, the Board of Directors needed to know the scenarios that preliminarily presented the eventual effects of the application of the (partially modified) tariff methodology.
In order to address what was required by the Board of Directors, the Energy Intendancy (hereinafter IE) of this Regulatory Authority proceeded with the request for the necessary information from the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (hereinafter ICE) to create the scenarios. This process of collecting this information was transcendental and depended on what ICE provided. Below are the details of the actions related to said request for information to ICE:
1. On March 17, 2025, through official letter OF-0381-IE-2025, the IE requested the required information from ICE. 2. On March 28, 2025, through official letter 5407-029-2025 and sent to the IE on April 2, 2025, ICE requested from the IE an extension until June 9, 2025, for the delivery of the information required via official letter OF0381-IE-2025 "Request for information for compliance with agreement 05-63-2011 of the Board of Directors." 3. On April 10, 2025, through official letter OF-0581-IE-2025, the IE granted ICE an extension until May 30, 2025 for the delivery of the information requested in official letter OF-0381-IE-2025. 4. On May 30, 2025, through official letter 1250-309-2025, ICE delivered to the IE the information requested via official letter OF-0381-IE-2025. Additionally, ICE mentioned regarding the information provided: "We do not omit to state that the information supplied is preliminary and for internal analysis by the Regulator.
We reiterate our commitment to the delivery of the 'Simplified model for the allocation and settlement of auxiliary services' for 2026." The highlighting is not from the original. 5. On July 15, 2025, through joint official letter OF-0971-IE-2025/OF-0235-DGDR-2025, in compliance with Por Tanto II of agreement 05-63-2024 from ordinary session 63-2024, the IE and the Directorate General for Regulation Development (hereinafter DGDR) presented to the Board of Directors a preliminary run (with information cut-off as of December 2024) of the Auxiliary Services tariffs according to the information provided by ICE in official letter 1250-309-2025. 6. On August 6, 2025, through agreement No. 05-59-2025 from extraordinary session No. 59-2025 and notified to the IE via official letter OF-0564-SJD-2025 of the same date, the Board of Directors ordered in Por Tanto II: "(…) II. Instruct the Energy Intendancy to coordinate with the Directorate General for Regulation Development, so that, based on what was detected in official letter OF-0971-IE-2025/OF-0235-DGDR-2025 of July 15, 2025, regarding the lack of information, the need to review and validate the data, and the preliminary nature of the results presented, they proceed to carry out a consistency analysis of the information sent by ICE.
Based on said analysis, the scenarios on the effects of the application of the 'Tariff Methodology for the remuneration of auxiliary services in the National Electric System SEN)', issued through resolution RE-0195-JD-2021, as well as its modification proposal, must be presented again to the Board of Directors. The foregoing must be fulfilled within a maximum period of three months. (…)" 7. On August 21, 2025, the IE held the first working meeting with ICE, for the review and comparison of the Auxiliary Services tariff estimates between the technical teams of ICE and the IE. 8. On September 19, 2025, through official letter OF-1200-IE-2025, the IE requested from ICE the designation of a technical liaison from DOCSE for addressing queries related to the information sent by ICE in official letter 1250-309-2025 in compliance with official letter OF-0381-IE-2025. 9. On October 3, 2025, the IE held the second working meeting with ICE, where the information and Auxiliary Services tariffs were reviewed and validated again.
Additionally, it was agreed to validate the information on operation, maintenance, and depreciation costs (COMD) and the revalued net fixed operating asset (AFNOR) with the person in charge of ICE's tariff process. 10. On October 13, 2025, an email was received from ICE with the file "251013 Cálculo tarifas SSAA 2024" ("251013 Calculation SSAA Tariffs 2024"), indicating the adjustment of the COMD of thermal plants and AFNOR (exclusion of the fuel cost of thermal plants) for the tertiary reserve tariff. With this, the information that ICE had provided through official letter 1250-309-2025 of May 30, 2025, was adjusted. Given this change in information, the IE had to carry out a new assessment of it. 11. On February 27, 2026, through joint official letter OF-0172-IE-2026/OF0075-DGDR-2026, in compliance with Por Tanto II of agreement No. 05-59-2025 from extraordinary session No. 59-2025, the IE and DGDR presented to the Board of Directors a second preliminary run (with information cut-off as of December 2024) of the Auxiliary Services tariffs according to the information provided by ICE in official letter 1250-309-2025 and from the file "251013 Cálculo tarifas SSAA 2024" with the adjusted COMD and AFNOR information, where they excluded the fuel cost of thermal plants.
As can be observed, the IE had to perform the analysis twice to carry out the preliminary runs that allowed addressing what was requested by the Board of Directors, prior to the approval of the partial modification of the existing tariff methodology. Two runs were performed and two joint reports were presented to the Board of Directors, because ICE from the very first moment (official letter 1250-309-2025 of May 30, 2025) provided preliminary information, which during the first run did not provide greater precision, as a result of which, the Board of Directors, according to agreement No. 05-59-2025, requested a second run, requiring a "consistency analysis of the information sent by ICE." From the foregoing, the IE and the DGDR held two roundtables with ICE for the review and validation of the information provided. Even after the roundtables were held, ICE, via email on October 13, 2025, provided a new file called "251013 Cálculo tarifas SSAA 2024" ("251013 Calculation SSAA Tariffs 2024"), indicating the adjustment of the COMD of thermal plants and AFNOR (exclusion of the fuel cost of thermal plants) for the tertiary reserve tariff.
This information lacked traceability, which required validating it against the information initially provided. That new file implied a partial change to the information that had already been provided through official letter 1250-309-2025 of May 30, 2025, and that had been validated in the roundtables held. Given this change in information, new assessments had to be made to issue the second joint official letter OF-0172-IE-2026/OF-0075-DGDR-2026 of February 27, 2026, which captured the second run presented to the Board of Directors. It should be noted that ICE produced not only delays but also rework in the preparation of the scenarios requested by the Board of Directors, since they even requested extensions to provide said information, provided preliminary information and subsequently changed it, in addition to the fact that roundtables were warranted given the information provided. What has been described ultimately caused the Board of Directors to need to be asked for extensions to provide what was required and the approval decision to be taken only by March 11, 2026 (RE-0023-JD-2026).
Now, to tariff the auxiliary services applicable to distributed energy resource providers and comply with Transitorio I of Law No. 10086, it was not only necessary to wait for the regulation to said law to enter into force or for the existing tariff methodology to be modified; also, in accordance with the "Technical Regulation for auxiliary services in the national electric system (AR-RT-SASEN)" established by ARESEP through resolution RE-0140-JD-2019 of November 26, 2019, published in Alcance Digital No. 279 to La Gaceta No. 283 of December 13, 2019, the approval of the respective technical procedures necessary to establish the technical and operational requirements that would apply to all auxiliary service providers and MEM agents was required. In this regard, Article 28 of the aforementioned Regulation states: "Article 28. Technical procedures. The OS/OM must submit, for review and approval to ARESEP, the proposals for each of the technical procedures as indicated in the body of this Technical Regulation for their implementation, which shall include at least matters related to the following topics and auxiliary services:
1. On January 10, 2020, through official letter 0810-015-2020, the OS/OM (ICE) submitted to the IE the development schedule for the technical procedures established in the AR-RT-SASEN (folio 03, OT-305-2020). According to the schedule submitted via official letter 0810-015-2020, the OS/OM (ICE) committed to deliver on March 30, 2020, the procedures Voltage Control, Black Start, and Load Shedding Service and Scheme; on May 18, 2020, the procedures Frequency Control and Energy Exchanges, and Interruptible Demand; and on June 15, 2020, the procedures Reserve Dimensioning, Performance Supervision and Evaluation, Enablement of Each Auxiliary Service, and Coordination of Unavailability of Auxiliary Services (folio 04, OT-305-2020). 2. It was not until April 29, 2020, through official letter 0810-272-2020, that the OS/OM (ICE) submitted to the IE the Load Shedding Service and Scheme Procedure, when it was initially due on March 30 (folios 06 and 07, OT-305-2020). 3.
It was not until June 16, 2020, through official letter 0810-376-2020, that the OS/OM (ICE) submitted to the IE the Black Start Service Procedure, when it was initially due on March 30 (folio 14, OT-305-2020). 4. On June 12, 2020, following the non-compliance by the OS/OM (ICE) with the proposed schedule, through official letter 0810-377-2020, the OS/OM (ICE) requested the Regulador General to elevate to the Board of Directors the request for an extension of the deadline for the delivery of the technical procedures derived from the AR-RT-SASEN (folio 15, OT-305-2020). 5. On June 16, 2020, through official letter OF-0511-RG-2020, the Regulador General requested the OS/OM (ICE) to review the schedule sent via official letter 810-015-2020 to propose new delivery dates (folios 18 and 19, OT-305-2020). 6. On June 23, 2020, through official letter 0810-397-2020, the OS/OM (ICE) responded to official letter OF-0511-RG-2020, submitting a new development schedule for the technical procedures.
According to the schedule submitted via official letter 0810-397-2020, the OS/OM (ICE) committed to deliver on August 18, 2020, the Voltage Control and Interruptible Demand procedures, and on September 30, 2020, the procedures for Frequency Control and Energy Exchanges, Reserve Dimensioning, and Coordination of Unavailability of Auxiliary Services (folio 20, OT-305-2020). 7. On July 21, 2020, through official letter OF-0643-RG-2020, the Regulador General, under the protection of the provisions of Article 28 of the AR-RT-SASEN regulation, in that the approval of the procedures corresponds to the Regulador General, granted the requested extension according to the schedule proposed by the OS/OM (ICE) (folio 33, OT-305-2020). 8. On August 18, 2020, through official letter 0810-564-2020, the OS/OM (ICE) submitted to the IE the Voltage Control Procedure and Interruptible Demand Procedure (folio 2, OT-305-2020). 9.
On September 30, 2020, through official letter 0810-688-2020, the OS/OM (ICE) submitted to the IE the Procedure for Frequency Control and Energy Exchanges, Reserve Dimensioning, and Coordination of Unavailability of Generation, Transmission, and Auxiliary Services (folio 31, OT-305-2020). 10. On August 9, 2021, through official letter OF-0599-IE-2021, the IE sent the OS/OM the procedures derived from the AR-RT-SASEN regulation so that the observations made by ARESEP's technical team on them could be addressed. The procedures sent were: Technical Procedure for the Provision of the Voltage Control Auxiliary Service, Technical Procedure for the Provision of the Black Start Auxiliary Service, Load Shedding Service and Schemes Procedure, Procedure for Frequency Control and Energy Exchanges, Technical Procedure for the Provision of the Interruptible Demand Auxiliary Service, Procedure for the Dimensioning of Reserves for Frequency Control and Energy Exchanges, Coordination of Unavailability of Generation, Transmission, and Auxiliary Services of the SEN (folio 35 and 36, OT-305-2020). 11.
On August 23, 2021, through official letter 0810-493-2021, the OS/OM (ICE) responded to official letter OF-0599-IE-2021 with the proposed schedule for the delivery of the procedures with the IE's adjustments and observations addressed, according to which it would deliver on December 17, 2021, the procedures: Technical Procedure for the Provision of the Black Start Auxiliary Service, Coordination of Unavailability of Generation, Transmission, and Auxiliary Services of the SEN, Procedure for the Dimensioning of Reserves for Frequency Control and Energy Exchanges. On April 29, 2022, it would deliver the Technical Procedure for the Provision of the Voltage Control Auxiliary Service, on July 29, 2022, the Procedure for Frequency Control and Energy Exchanges, and on August 31, 2022, the Technical Procedure for the Provision of the Interruptible Demand Auxiliary Service (folio 40, OT-305-2020). 12.
On November 9, 2021, through official letter OF-0847-RG-2021, the Regulador General requested the OS/OM (ICE) to comply with the schedule submitted via official letter 0810-493-2021 and to adjust the dates of the remaining procedures to January 2022, indicating: "(…) In this regard, I must call attention to the fact that since the procedures, once approved by the Regulador General, must be submitted to public consultation and the tariffs to the public hearing process, the schedule proposed by the CENCE would not allow compliance with the deadline granted to ARESEP in Transitorio I of bill No. 22.009 'Promotion and Regulation of Distributed Energy Resources from Renewable Sources' approved in the extraordinary session of the Legislative Assembly No. 34 of October 20 last, which provides for a period '...not exceeding six months, counted from the publication of this law, to approve and have in force the corresponding tariffs for auxiliary services'" (folios 701 and 702, OT-305-2020). 13.
On December 2, 2021, through official letter 0810-723-2021, the OS/OM (ICE) responded to official letter OF-0847-RG-2021, indicating "I inform you that it is materially impossible to advance the scheduled dates" (folio 703, OT-305-2020). 14. On December 17, 2021, through official letter 0810-738-2021, the OS/OM (ICE) submitted to the IE, with the analysis of the comments and observations made by ARESEP's technical team, the procedures: Technical Procedure for the Provision of the Black Start Auxiliary Service, Coordination of Unavailability of Generation, Transmission, and Auxiliary Services of the SEN, Procedure for the Dimensioning of Reserves for Frequency Control and Energy Exchanges, Load Shedding Service and Schemes Procedure (folio 706, OT-305-2020). 15. On April 29, 2022, through official letter 0810-238-2022, the OS/OM (ICE) submitted to the IE, with the analysis of the comments and observations made by the Aresep technical team, the Technical Procedure for the Provision of the Voltage Control Auxiliary Service (folio 707, OT-305-2020). 16.
On August 3, 2022, through official letter OF-0581-IE-2022, the IE issued report IN-0100-IE-2022 "REPORT ON THE OS/OM PROPOSAL FOR PROCEDURES DERIVED FROM THE TECHNICAL REGULATION FOR AUXILIARY SERVICES IN THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC SYSTEM OT-305-2020," which contained the assessment of 5 procedures delivered by the OS/OM (ICE), related to the AR-RT-SASEN regulation for their approval (folios 67 and 68, OT-305-2020). 17. On July 29, 2022, through official letter 0810-463-2022, the OS/OM (ICE) submitted to the IE, with the analysis of the comments and observations made by the Aresep technical team, the Technical Procedure for the Provision of the Frequency Control and Energy Exchanges Auxiliary Service (folio 704, OT-305-2020). 18. On August 31, 2022, through official letter 0810-647-2022, the OS/OM (ICE) submitted to the IE, with the analysis of the comments and observations made by the Aresep technical team, the Technical Procedure for the Provision of the Interruptible Demand Auxiliary Service (folio 705, OT-305-2020). 19.
On October 19, 2022, through official letter OF-0848-IE-2022, the IE issued report IN-0133-IE-2022 "SECOND REPORT ON THE TECHNICAL PROCEDURES RELATED TO THE TECHNICAL REGULATION FOR AUXILIARY SERVICES IN THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC SYSTEM," which assessed 2 additional procedures related to the AR-RT-SASEN regulation for their approval (folios 121 and 122, OT-305-2020). 20. On October 21, 2022, through official letter OF-0434-RG-2022, the Regulador General requested the submission to public consultation of the procedures derived from the Technical Regulation AR-RT-SASEN (folios 124 and 125, OT-305-2020). 21. On October 24, 2022, through official letter OF-0437-RG-2022, the Regulador General requested a legal opinion particularly regarding the approval of the "Procedure for Coordination of Unavailability of Generation, Transmission, Distribution, and Auxiliary Services in the SEN" (folios 129 to 131, OT-305-2020).
On November 18, 2022, through report IN-0853-DGAU-2022, the Dirección General de Atención al Usuario issued the report on oppositions and coadyuvancies filed during the public consultation held through November 17, 2022 (folios 148 and 149, OT-305-2020).
23. On December 11, 2023, through report IN-0270-IE-2023, the IE issued the technical report responding to the oppositions and coadyuvancies filed during the public consultation (folios 150 through 210, OT-305-2020). Forwarded via official letter OF-1286-IE-2023 dated December 14, 2023 (folios 237 and 238, OT-305-2020).
24. On December 14, 2023, through report IN-0275-IE-2023, the IE issued the post-public-consultation technical report on the procedures derived from the Technical Regulation AR-RT-SASEN (folios 211 through 235, OT-305-2020).
25. On December 15, 2023, through report IN-0285-IE-2023, the IE issued the post-public-consultation technical report on the “Procedimiento de Coordinación de Indisponibilidades de Generación, Transmisión, Distribución y Servicios Auxiliares en el SEN” (folios 257 through 278, OT-305-2020). Forwarded via official letter OF-1317-IE-2023 dated December 22, 2023 (folios 280 and 281, OT-305-2020).
26. On December 18, 2023, through report IN-0283-IE-2023, the IE issued the technical report responding to the oppositions and coadyuvancies filed during the public consultation on the “Procedimiento de Coordinación de Indisponibilidades de Generación, Transmisión, Distribución y Servicios Auxiliares en el SEN” (folios 240 through 256, OT-305-2020).
27. By resolution RE-003-RG-2024 of January 8, 2024, the Regulador General approved the following procedures: 1. Procedimientos para el Dimensionamiento de las reservas para el Control de frecuencia e intercambios de energía, 2. Procedimiento Técnico para la prestación del servicio auxiliar de Control de tensión, 3. Procedimiento técnico para la prestación de servicios auxiliar de Arranque en negro, 4. Procedimientos Servicio y esquemas de desconexión de cargas, 5. Procedimiento Demanda Interrumpible, and 6. Procedimientos para el Control de Frecuencia e Intercambios de Energía (folios 283 through 312, OT-305-2020).
28. By resolution RE-0085-JD-2024 of July 23, 2024, the Junta Directiva of ARESEP approved the Technical Procedure “Coordinación de indisponibilidades de Generación, Transmisión, Distribución y servicios Auxiliares en el SEN” related to the Technical Regulation for Ancillary Services in the Sistema Eléctrico Nacional (folios 545 through 594, OT-305-2020).
As is evident from the background described above, the OS/OM (ICE), responsible for proposing the aforementioned technical procedures, caused significant delays in their approval, such that finally, after a lengthy process of submission, review, and correction, they were approved only in 2024, this not being the responsibility of ARESEP.
Now, in addition to the foregoing technical procedures, one final, indispensable procedure remains before rate application can proceed. This final procedure was stipulated in the aforementioned rate methodology RE-0195-JD-2021, as amended by resolution RE-0023-JD-2026, which provides:
“4. SETTLEMENT OF ANCILLARY SERVICES The OS/OM is responsible for administering the transactions resulting from the application of this rate methodology, in accordance with the functions of planning, enabling, allocation, supervision, and operation of the ancillary services in the SEN. Rates for ancillary services related to secondary regulation, tertiary regulation, and demand interconnection (demanda interrumpible) shall be settled monthly, considering the following equations. (…) To implement this settlement section, the OS/OM must have a rate settlement procedure (procedimiento de liquidación tarifaria), which shall be approved by the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos in accordance with the provisions of regulation AR-RTSASEN (resolution RE-0140-JD-2019). The OS/OM shall submit the settlement procedure for approval by the Autoridad Reguladora within a period not to exceed 120 calendar days after this rate methodology is published.
Said procedure shall include, at a minimum: • The settlement rules to be applied for ancillary services provided that are rateable under this methodology. • Definition of tolerance margins and parameters for deviations that would not be considered in the settlement. • The settlement rules to be applied when an ancillary service is pre-dispatched and not called up in real time. • The criteria to be applied in the settlement to agents that must provide an ancillary service called up by the CENCE and that, for reasons attributable to the agent, cannot provide it. • Other matters not provided for in this rate methodology. (…)” Within this framework, the OS/OM (ICE) was required to propose a rate settlement procedure, which must undergo the same approval process by ARESEP as the other technical procedures derived from the “Reglamento técnico de los servicios auxiliares en el sistema eléctrico nacional (AR-RT-SASEN).” This procedure is essential for the respective rate setting to be carried out.
Hence, once the approval of the first technical procedures mentioned above was completed, ARESEP proceeded to request that the OS/OM (ICE) submit the proposal for this final procedure, which to this day has not been approved by this Autoridad Reguladora because ICE has not submitted the proposed rate settlement procedure.
On this matter, ARESEP has carried out the following process:
1. On November 20, 2024, via official letter OF-1133-IE-2024, the IE requested that the OS/OM (ICE) submit the delivery schedule for the ancillary services settlement procedure, further stating: “We do not fail to recall the importance of having the settlement procedure as a requirement for establishing the remuneration rate for ancillary services in the SEN” (folio 673, OT-305-2020).
2. On December 5, 2024, via official letter 0510-1542-2024, the OS/OM (ICE) responded to official letter OF-0133-IE-2024, stating: “Regarding the settlement model associated with the technical procedures for Ancillary Services, I also inform you that there has already been an approach with ARESEP staff, through a meeting held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024” (folio 674, OT-305-2020).
3. On February 3, 2025, via official letter 0510-112-2025, the OS/OM (ICE) responded to official letter OF-0133-IE-2024, stating: “We are working on developing a simplified or more focused work program for the development of the settlement model and technical processes, because we understand the importance of implementing the allocation and settlement of ancillary services in the short term. This focused program will be communicated to the Intendencia de Energía no later than February 28, 2025.” (folio 675, OT-305-2020).
4. On February 28, 2025, via official letter 0510-201-2025, the OS/OM (ICE) sent the IE the delivery schedule for technical procedures derived from AR-RT-SASEN, indicating that the work plan focuses, among other things, on: “5. Settlement: addresses the definition of charges and credits to providers and consumers of ancillary services based on rates” “Generation of data for ARESEP for the calculation of secondary reserve RS and tertiary reserve RT rates (…) In accordance with this work program, we believe that by January 2, 2026, we could have a prototype application for settlement. The complete program, including contingencies, would extend to May 8, 2026” (folio 676, OT-305-2020).
5. On July 8, 2025, via official letter OF-0942-IE-2025, the IE followed up on the OS/OM (ICE) work schedule, stating (folios 677 and 678, OT-305-2020): “(…) In this context, as you are aware, by means of resolution RE-0195-JD-2021 of August 17, 2021, the Junta Directiva of the Autoridad Reguladora approved the “Rate methodology for the remuneration of ancillary services in the Sistema Eléctrico Nacional (SEN).” Therefore, given the time elapsed, it is placed on record that the first-time application of this methodology depends, fundamentally, on the allocation and settlement procedure that ICE must develop and submit for approval by the Autoridad Reguladora. (…) Finally, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 14 and 24 of Law No. 7593, as well as what was communicated by ICE via official letter 0510-201-2025, January 2, 2026, is established as the maximum deadline for ICE to submit the required documentation so as not to further postpone the first-time application of the provisions of rate methodology RE-0195-JD-2021.” The highlighting is not from the original.
6. On July 22, 2025, via official letter 510-689-2025, the OS/OM (ICE) responded, indicating 9% progress in the development of a simplified model for allocation and settlement of ancillary services (folio 681, OT-305-2020).
7. On October 17, 2025, via official letter OF-1330-IE-2025, the IE, in follow-up regarding the ancillary services settlement procedure that the OS/OM (ICE) must submit, requested a meeting with both ICE and DOCSE (formerly CENCE) to assess the status of the situation (folios 682 and 683, OT-305-2020).
8. On January 5, 2026, via official letter OF-0004-IE-2026, the IE requested that the OS/OM (ICE) comply with the delivery schedule for the ancillary services settlement procedure indicated via official letter 0510-201-2025 of February 28, 2025, given that the deadline expired on January 2, 2026 (folios 686 and 687, OT-305-2020).
9. On January 19, 2026, following insistence from the Regulating Entity, the OS/OM (ICE) submitted official letter 0510-51-2026 with the document Report on the Application of the Simplified Ancillary Services Model (folios 688 through 690, OT-305-2020).
10. On February 12, 2026, the Secretaría de Junta Directiva (SJD) of ARESEP, via official letter OF-0101-SJD-2026, notified the OS/OM (ICE) of Agreement No. 08-12-2026, from the minutes of Ordinary Session No. 12-2026, held on February 6, 2026, by which it resolved: “I. To acknowledge receipt of the Report of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad addressed to the Intendencia de Energía, regarding the application of the Simplified Ancillary Services Model in compliance with the Delivery Schedule for Technical Procedures derived from AR-RT-SASEN. File OT-305-2020. Official letter 0510-51-2026 of January 19, 2026 (GD-001329-2026). II. To communicate this agreement to the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad.” (folio 692, OT-305-2020).
11. On February 12, 2026, the SJD of ARESEP, via official letter OF-0102-SJD2026, notified the IE of Agreement No. 09-12-2026, from the minutes of Ordinary Session No. 12-2026, held on February 6, 2026, by which it resolved: “I. To request that the Intendencia de Energía provide this collegial body with a presentation on the content of the Report of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad regarding the application of the Simplified Ancillary Services Model, submitted via official letter 0510-51-2026 of January 19, 2026 (GD-001329-2026), within the framework of File OT-305-2020. The foregoing within a period of two months. II. To request that the Intendencia de Energía present before this collegial body the technical assessment conducted by said Intendencia on the content of the report of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, including the main findings, observations, and potential implications for regulatory processes. The foregoing within a period of two months. III. To communicate this agreement to the Intendencia de Energía.” (folio 692, OT-305-2020).
12. On February 25, 2026, via official letter OF-0155-IE-2026, the IE submitted a series of queries to the OS/OM (ICE) arising from the analysis of the Report on the application of the Simplified Ancillary Services Model. It also requested a meeting during the week of March 2 to 6, 2026, to address additional queries on the document. Due to the schedule of OS/OM (ICE) officials, said meeting was held virtually via the Teams platform on March 11, 2026 (folios 693 and 694, OT-305-2020).
13. On March 3, 2026, via official letter 0510-0195-2026, it responded to the queries made by the IE via official letter OF-0155-IE-2026 and provided a Report of results of the application tests of the simplified ancillary services model (folio 696, OT-305-2020).
14. On March 13, 2026, via official letter OF-0225-IE-2026, the IE requested that the OS/OM (ICE) submit, within 5 business days, the procedure corresponding to the proposed model for settlement of ancillary services that includes the minimum information stipulated in the rate methodology (RE-0195-JD-2021) and in the format already used for the remaining procedures applicable to ancillary services that have been approved by this regulatory entity (folio 697, OT-305-2020).
As things stand, the background described above demonstrates that ARESEP has aggressively supervised ICE (OS/OM), which has produced delays and reprocessing. There is no omission in compliance with Law 10086; on the contrary, there has been rigorous work regarding compliance with the two transitory provisions that are the subject of this process, in addition to requiring compliance from a third party essential to the system’s operability.
B. ON THE DEFINITION OF REGULATORY INSTRUMENTS AND RATE SETTING PURSUANT TO LAW NO. 10086 (TRANSITORIO II):
Pursuant to this Transitorio II, in order to determine the regulatory instruments and their subsequent application, in light of Law No. 10086 and its Regulations, ARESEP proceeded with the administrative procedure for the development and approval of the respective rate methodology through file IRM-006-2022, in which resolution RE-0076-2023 of May 4, 2023, was issued, ordering: “Rate methodology derived from Law No. 10086 concerning: a) setting of interconnection charges to the distribution networks applicable to distributed energy resources (recursos energéticos distribuidos), b) access tariff to the distribution networks by the distributed generator, c) purchase and sale of surpluses and economic recognition between distribution companies, as well as by distributed generators to the distribution company, d) recognition of the costs, profitability, investments, and fees incurred by the distribution companies for the integration of distributed energy resources into the SEN (tariff T-DER).” This resolution was published in Alcance Digital No. 86 to La Gaceta No. 83 of May 12, 2023.
Resolution RE-0076-JD-2023 established the following for the first-time application of the 4 tariffs: “(…) For the first application, the Intendencia de Energía shall have a period of 10 calendar days for the preparation and socialisation of the required information forms, and the distribution companies shall have 15 business days for the submission of the information requested by the Intendencia de Energía; such that a combined maximum period of approximately 30 calendar days is proposed from the approval and publication of this methodology in the official gazette La Gaceta, for the distribution companies to send the information requested by the Intendencia de Energía, in order to apply the calculation method for the interconnection charges to the distribution networks applicable to distributed energy resources. The Intendencia de Energía must initiate ex officio the ordinary rate-setting procedure provided for in Law No. 7593 and submit the request for the call for a public hearing to the Dirección General de Atención al Usuario no later than sixty calendar days from the date of publication and entry into force of this rate methodology.
(…)” In this context, the IE first established the tariffs indicated in rate methodology RE-0076-JD-2023 for all electricity distribution companies, through resolutions RE-0103-IE-2023, RE-0104-IE-2023, RE-0105-IE-2023, and RE-0106-IE-2023, dated September 7, 2023, for Chapters I, II, III, and IV, respectively. (ET-047-2023, ET-048-2023, ET-049-2023, and ET-050-2023).
Additionally, the rate methodology established the following periodicity for the application of the four tariffs, once the initial setting has been carried out:
For “Chapter 1: Calculation method for setting interconnection charges to the distribution networks applicable to distributed energy resources,” the following: “(…) This method applies to ordinary ex officio rate setting or at the request of a party, in accordance with Article 30 of Law No. 7593. After the initial setting, tariffs shall be updated ex officio once per year within the first semester of the respective year, initiating the rate-setting procedure with the request for information from the distribution companies by the IE. In the case of a rate request by a party, the requesting party shall update its information, and information regarding other operators shall correspond to the most recent information available at the last setting of this tariff, which, being a market rate setting, shall be updated only once per year. (…)
For “Chapter 2: Calculation method for setting the access tariff to the distribution networks by the distributed generator,” under the following terms: “(…) 2.6.1 General Application This calculation method shall be applied ordinarily ex officio or at the request of a party, in accordance with Article 30 of Law No. 7593; an independent tariff shall be obtained for each company, therefore, only the data of the respective company shall be used in the rate calculation. This calculation method must be applied jointly with the respective ordinary settings. (…)” For “Chapter 3: Calculation method for the tariff for the purchase and sale of surpluses and economic recognition between distribution companies, as well as by distributed generators to the distribution company,” the following periodicity: “(…) 3.1 General Application and Adjustments This calculation method shall be applied, simultaneously and in the same ordinary or extraordinary process as applicable, for any generation study, application of the variable generation cost (CVG) methodology, or any other methodology that replaces it, ex officio or at the request of a party, in accordance with Article 30 of Law No. 7593 already cited.
In the case of studies at the request of a party, the distribution company must submit the calculation for the update of this tariff. An independent maximum surplus purchase-sale tariff shall be obtained for each company. (…)” For “Chapter 4: Calculation method for the recognition of costs, profitability, investments, and fees incurred by the distribution companies for the integration of distributed energy resources into the SEN (T-DER),” it was provided: “(…) Based on the foregoing, each time a new setting for the electricity distribution service is carried out under the methodology denominated “Ordinary rate methodology for the electricity distribution service provided by public operators and cooperatives,” resolution RJD-139-2015, published in Alcance No. 3 to La Gaceta No. 154 of October 10, 2015, and its amendments, or the methodology that replaces it, an update must be made to the tariff defined under this methodology.
(…)” As can be seen in the foregoing excerpts from rate methodology RE-0076-JD-2023, which indicate the periodicity with which the four tariffs corresponding to distributed generation must be updated once the first application has been made, the IE updated the tariffs in the following resolutions:
Regarding Chapter 1 Interconnection Tariff: under the current methodology, this tariff is updated by the IE ex officio in the first semester of each year, for the 8 electricity distribution companies, as observed: • For the year 2024, the tariff was updated through resolution RE-0058-IE-2024 of July 30, 2024, published in Alcance No. 137 to La Gaceta No. 144 of August 7, 2024. Said tariff was in effect from August 7, 2024, to July 10, 2025. (ET-046-2024) • For the year 2025, the tariff was updated through resolution RE-0031-IE-2024 of June 26, 2025, published in Alcance No. 86 to La Gaceta No. 128 of July 11, 2025. Said tariff took effect on July 11, 2025, and shall be replaced by the one defined for the year 2026. (ET-031-2025) • For the year 2026, the IE is in the process of reviewing the information submitted by the electricity distribution companies, to subsequently apply the respective formulas and issue the initial report, which shall be submitted to the public hearing process in accordance with the provisions of Article 36 of Law 7593.
For Chapter 2 Access Tariff, Chapter 3 Surplus Purchase-Sale Tariff, and Chapter 4 T-DER Tariff: under the methodology, these tariffs must be updated for each of the electricity distribution companies within the framework of an ordinary study, whether at the request of a party or ex officio. Consequently, said tariffs were updated only for the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL), Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), and the Junta Administrativa del Servicio Eléctrico de Cartago (JASEC), within the framework of an ordinary rate study at the request of a party, in the following resolutions: • CNFL: in resolution RE-0070-IE-2025 of December 12, 2025, the access and surplus purchase-sale tariffs were updated. Regarding the T-DER tariff, the company requested to maintain the current tariff (established in RE-0106-IE-2023 of September 7, 2023, ET-071-2025). • ICE: in resolution RE-0092-IE-2024 of December 12, 2024, the access and surplus purchase-sale tariffs were updated.
Regarding the T-DER tariff, this Intendencia did not update it and maintained the current tariff (established in RE-0106-IE-2023 of September 7, 2023, ET-077-2024). Subsequently, through resolution RE-0061-IE-2025 of November 25, 2025, the access and surplus purchase-sale tariffs were updated. Regarding the T-DER tariff, the company requested to maintain the current tariff (established in RE-0106-IE-2023 of September 7, 2023, ET-063-2025). • JASEC: in resolution RE-0072-IE-2024 of October 25, 2024, the access, surplus purchase-sale, and T-DER tariffs were updated. (ET-061-2024) It is important to note that for the remaining electricity distribution companies (Coopeguanacaste, Coopelesca, Coopesantos, Coopealfaro, and the Empresa de Servicios Públicos de Heredia), the tariffs in Chapters 2, 3, and 4 have not been updated, because from 2023 to date, they have not submitted ordinary rate studies.
As such, it can be observed that ARESEP has fully complied with the obligations set forth in Transitorio II of Law No. 10086, both in the creation of regulatory instruments and in the effective execution of rate settings.
In relation to the foregoing idea, starting from an optimistic scenario in which the System Operator and Market Operator (ICE) complies in a timely and proper manner with what was required in official letter OF-0225-IE-2026, it is imperative that this honorable Chamber take into consideration that the setting of ancillary services tariffs is not an automatic act, but rather a regulated procedure subject to stages and technical procedures. Any judicial order that intends to reduce these time frames would force this Authority to dispense with constitutional guarantees such as the public hearing and due process, rendering the resulting tariffs absolutely null and void. The necessary critical path is detailed below:
In order to process the ex officio ordinary rate study for the establishment of ancillary services tariffs, the following steps must be followed:
1. As an initial clarification, it is noted that this rate setting, being ex officio (Article 30, Law 7593), implies that the initial report must be prepared by the Intendencia de Energía and, for this, the information that ICE must provide is indispensable. Said report must be submitted to due process, respecting the statutorily established time frames, which includes at least one public hearing process, pursuant to the provisions of Article 36 of Law 7593, as observed: “Article 36.- Matters to be submitted to a public hearing For the matters indicated in this article, the Autoridad Reguladora shall call a hearing, in which persons with a legitimate interest may participate to express themselves. To that end, the Autoridad Reguladora shall order the publication in the official gazette La Gaceta and in two nationally circulated newspapers of the matters listed below: a) Requests for the ordinary setting of tariffs and prices of public services.
(…) In these cases, anyone with a legitimate interest may file opposition or coadyuvancy, in writing or orally, on the day of the hearing, at which time they must record the exact place or fax number for purposes of notification by ARESEP. In said hearing, the interested party must set forth the factual and legal grounds they deem pertinent (…)” 2. Prior to the commencement of the procedure, the IE shall request from ICE the information necessary for the preparation of the initial report. A subsequent request to ICE for additional information or clarifications is not ruled out, all in order to have the necessary and updated information.
3. The procedure commences with the opening of the respective rate file and the formalization of the initial report.
4. The Intendencia has up to 3 calendar days (it is proposed to use a prudential period of 1 day) to submit the request for the call to the respective public hearing to the Dirección General de Atención al Usuario (DGAU), in accordance with the provisions of resolution RRG-723-2016 “Guidelines for ordinary rate settings” of November 7, 2016, published in La Gaceta No. 221 of November 17, 2016, as observed: “(…) 3. Establish a period of up to 3 calendar days, counted from the admissibility of the rate request, for the Intendencias de Regulación to request the Dirección General de Atención al Usuario (DGAU) to call the public hearing (…).” 5. Subsequently, the DGAU must request from the Departamento de Proveeduría the respective procedure for the publication of the call for the public hearing in the official gazette La Gaceta and in two nationally circulated newspapers, pursuant to the provisions of resolution RRG-723-2016: “(…) 4.
Establish a period of up to 7 calendar days, counted from the day following receipt of the request by the DGAU, for it to request from the Departamento de Proveeduría the respective procedure for the publication of the call for the public hearing (…).” 6. The Departamento de Proveeduría must send for publication the call for the public hearing to the Imprenta Nacional and two nationally circulated media, pursuant to the provisions of resolution RRG-723-2016: “(…) 5. Establish a period of up to 5 calendar days, counted from the day following receipt of the request by the Departamento de Proveeduría, for it to request from the press media and the official gazette La Gaceta the publication of the respective call for the public hearing (…).” 7. Once the Imprenta Nacional receives the request for publication of the public hearing, it has a period of up to 10 business days for the publication of the call for the public hearing, as established in the “Regulation on publications of the official gazette La Gaceta and the Boletín Judicial,” Article 29: “(…) Article 29° - Maximum period to carry out publications. The Imprenta shall have a maximum period of ten business days, from receipt of the physical or digital document, to carry out the publications (…).” 8.
The call to public hearing must be published in the official gazette La Gaceta and in two newspapers of national circulation, 20 calendar days before its holding, in accordance with the provisions of Article 36 of Ley 7593, as can be observed: “(…) The hearing shall be called once the petition has been admitted and if the formal requirements established by the legal system have been met. For this purpose, an extract shall be published in the official gazette La Gaceta and in two newspapers of national circulation, with twenty (20) calendar days’ notice prior to the holding of the hearing. In the case of an ex officio action by the Regulatory Authority, the same procedure shall be observed (…)”. 9. Once the public hearing has been held, the IE requires the period of 30 calendar days provided for the formalization of the final report that will serve as the basis for the preparation of the resolution with the ancillary service rates, in accordance with the provisions of Article 37 of Ley N° 7593, as can be observed: “(…) Article 37.- Period for setting prices and rates The Regulatory Authority shall definitively decide any request for an ordinary rate setting or change, within a period that may not exceed thirty (30) calendar days after the date of the hearing.
If, after that term, whoever must decide in accordance with this Law has not made the corresponding decision, they shall be sanctioned by the general regulator of the Regulatory Authority with suspension from office for up to thirty (30) days. Suspension twice or more in the same calendar year shall be considered a serious offense and shall constitute grounds for dismissal without employer liability (…)”. Given the complexity and nature of this rate setting, as well as the possible participation of multiple actors in the public hearing that is held and who present positions, to which a response must be given and which may also be considered as a basis for changing the initial proposal, the IE requires the entirety of the established period. 10. Once the IE formalizes the rate resolution, it has a maximum period of 3 calendar days (it is proposed to use a prudential period of 1 day) to carry out the respective notification to whomever it may concern, in accordance with resolution RRG-723-2016: “(…) 9.
Establish a maximum period of up to 3 calendar days, counted from the day following the date of issuance of the rate application resolution (Article 262 LGAP), for the Regulatory Intendancies to carry out the respective notifications to all parties to the proceeding (…)”. 11. After the notification of the rate resolution, the IE has a period of up to 3 calendar days (it is proposed to use a prudential period of 1 day) to request the Procurement Department to publish the resolution, in accordance with the provisions of resolution RRG-723-2016: “(…) 11. Establish a period of up to 3 calendar days, counted from the day following the date of issuance of the respective resolution, for the Regulatory Intendancies to request the Procurement Department to carry out the corresponding publication of the resolution. (…)”. 12. The Procurement Department has a maximum period of 3 calendar days to send the publication of the resolution to the National Printing Office (Imprenta Nacional), in accordance with the provisions of resolution RRG-723-2016: “(…) 12.
Establish a period of 3 calendar days, counted from the day following the request of the Regulatory Intendancies, for the Procurement Department to send the publication of the resolution to the official gazette La Gaceta. (Article 26, subsection e) of the Regulation to Ley 7593). (…)”. 13. Once the National Printing Office receives the request for publication of the rate resolution, it requires a period of 10 business days to carry out the publication, according to the provisions of the “Regulation for publications of the official gazette La Gaceta and the Judicial Bulletin” Article 29, previously mentioned. In this context, the chronogram regarding the optimal scenario for the processing of the described ex officio ordinary rate study, which includes an exercise of restraint by the IE regarding the periods within its competence and without prejudice that this same exercise may eventually be performed by the other involved dependencies, would be as follows: (…)
| --- | --- | --- | | Period for the National Printing Office to publish the rate solution (10 business days) | | 12 | | Total calendar days for the rates to become effective | | 92 | Thus, even in a scenario of absolute efficiency (optimal scenario), the Administration requires a minimum of 92 additional calendar days from the approval of the settlement procedure (procedimiento de liquidación) to put the rates into effect. Therefore, it would be materially impossible for ARESEP to carry out the pending actions of Transitory I of Ley 10086 within the 2-month period according to the provisions of Article 49 of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law (Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional) for cases of simple omission, and this would imply a violation of the principle of legality, since it would imply not taking into account the existence of complex rate procedures that have their own legal reserve and that protect the right of citizen participation of the entire population.
IV.ON THE NEED TO JOIN THE INSTITUTO COSTARRICENSE DE ELECTRICIDAD TO THE LITIS DUE TO TECHNICAL LIABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE DELAY.
As has been accredited in detail in the Relevant Background section of this report, there is a relationship of absolute technical dependency between ARESEP's regulatory work and the information that, by legal and regulatory mandate, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) must supply in its capacity as System Operator and Market Operator (OS/OM). Therefore, this Regulatory Authority formally requests the Honorable Justices to join ICE to the litis, under the following factual and legal bases:
1. Direct Responsibility for the Delay in the Rate Chronogram. As set forth in the proceedings (specifically in communications OF-0381-IE-2025, ICE-5407-029-2025, and OF-0172-IE-2026), ICE has incurred an administrative delay that has prevented compliance with what was ordered in Transitory I of Ley 10086. It is procedurally unfair and technically improper to attempt to condemn ARESEP for an "omission" when the root cause of the delay is the delivery of incomplete, preliminary, and untraceable information by ICE. ARESEP cannot, by virtue of the cost-of-service principle, dictate a rate based on the "preliminary" data sent by ICE in communication 1250-309-2025, since the same Institute warned that its definitive model would not be ready until the year 2026. Condemning ARESEP to resolve without ICE providing the requested quality information would be equivalent to forcing the Administration to issue an act vitiated by nullity for lack of motive.
2. Breach of Indispensable Technical Procedures. The application of the rate methodology RE-0195-JD-2021 (and its modification RE-0023-JD-2026) is materially impossible without the Rate Settlement Procedure (Procedimiento de Liquidación Tarifaria) that ICE must propose. In this regard, despite the constant requests from the Energy Intendancy (such as recent OF-0225-IE-2026 of March 13, 2026), ICE has delayed the delivery of this input since the year 2020. Joining ICE to this Amparo proceeding is necessary so that said Institution accounts for: • The technical reasons for the constant breaches of the delivery chronograms (File OT-305-2020). • The current status of the technical drafting of the settlement procedure, the lack of which halts the initiation of the ex officio rate study.
3. Configuration of Necessary Passive Joinder of Parties. By virtue of the fact that the object of this amparo action is the alleged omission in rate setting, and given that said setting is a complex act that requires the active and mandatory participation of ICE as the provider of cost inputs and settlement proposal, the figure of Necessary Passive Joinder of Parties is configured. Any judgment that this Constitutional Chamber issues will have direct effects on ICE's competencies, since it must order the immediate delivery of information and the completion of technical procedures. Without the presence of ICE as a respondent party, its right of defense would be violated, and a judgment would be issued whose execution would be subject to the will of a third party that was not summoned to the proceeding. Hence, this Chamber is respectfully requested to summon the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad to the proceeding, so that it may report on the delay in the delivery of the technical information requested by the IE and state its position on the real deadlines for the definitive delivery of the rate settlement model, which is the basic prerequisite for this Regulatory Authority to comply with Transitory I of Ley 10086.
A MATTER OF ORDINARY LEGALITY AND ABSENCE OF INJURY TO FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS In accordance with the background and technical justification set forth supra, this Regulatory Authority vehemently maintains that this constitutional amparo action is inadmissible, since the claimants' petition does not concern the violation of a fundamental right, but rather a disagreement regarding the processing deadlines of a complex administrative proceeding.
1. Nonexistence of constitutional omission. For a constitutionally relevant omission to be configured, there must be absolute, negligent, and arbitrary inactivity by the Administration. However, ARESEP has accredited through the citation of Files OT-132-2023, PIRM-006-2023, IRM-001-2024, and OT-305-2020, that it has deployed constant, proactive, and oversight-oriented administrative activity. What the claimants classify as an “omission” does not constitute, in reality, an absolute, arbitrary, or negligent inactivity by this Regulatory Authority, but rather the technical processing of a proceeding whose culmination at a specific phase requires external technical inputs (for example from ICE) whose completeness and definitive version do not depend exclusively on ARESEP, in addition to the completion of public-order stages, including public hearings and technical consultations. In that sense, ARESEP has advanced the actions under its competence, without the existence of external technical and procedural constraints being equated to a punishable omission in the constitutional venue.
The Constitutional Chamber has been reiterative in stating that mere delay in processing a file, when it is duly justified by the complexity of the matter and by the need to exhaust the legally required phases, does not constitute a violation of the right to petition or to a prompt resolution, much less a sanctionable omission in this jurisdiction.
2. Disagreement on deadlines: An ordinary legality matter. The determination of whether ARESEP has or has not complied with the deadlines of Transitory I and II of Ley N.º 10086 is a matter that belongs exclusively to the sphere of ordinary legality, given that it has been demonstrated that ARESEP has carried out a series of actions regarding compliance with said transitory provisions. The analysis of the deadlines and of those actions requires a broad evidentiary stage and a substantive analysis that exceeds the summary and expeditious nature of the amparo action. The appropriate venue to discuss administrative celerity and the correct application of the legal transitory provisions is the Contentious-Administrative and Civil Treasury Jurisdiction, through the corresponding plenary proceeding, where the detailed technical reports in this report can be assessed under the filter of regulatory technique.
3. Absence of injury to the right of freedom of enterprise (Art. 46 CP). The claimants allege an affectation to their freedom of enterprise; however, they do not provide evidentiary elements demonstrating that their commercial activity is paralyzed. It is imperative to recall that: • There are currently effective access and generation rates (Resolutions RE-0103-IE-2023, RE-0104-IE-2023, RE-0105-IE-2023, and 0106-IE-2023). • The lack of a specific "ancillary services" rate does not prevent the interconnection or the functioning of DER systems, but rather regulates a specific component of the economic compensation of the system. Consequently, since there is no direct, current, and real injury to a fundamental right, and this is a disagreement with the response times of a technical administration, the action must be dismissed, referring the interested parties to the corresponding legality venue.”
“[I]n the report rendered on the 18th of March of the current year, among other things, it was indicated that the application of the tariff methodology RE-0195-JD-2021 (and its modification RE-0023-JD-2026) is materially impossible without the Tariff Settlement Procedure (Procedimiento de Liquidación Tarifaria) that the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (hereinafter ICE) as the System Operator and Market Operator (OS/OM) must propose. Hence, through official communication OF-0225-IE-2026 of March 13, 2026 (visible at folio 697 of the administrative file OT-305-2020 provided), the Energy Directorate (Intendencia de Energía) of this Regulatory Authority (hereinafter IE), once again, proceeded to request that ICE, within a period of 5 business days, send the corresponding procedure for the proposed settlement model for ancillary services, in order to continue with the regulatory process; said period granted to ICE expired on March 20, 2026.
Now, through official communication OF-0264-IE-2026 of March 23, 2026, the IE informed the General Legal Directorate of this Authority about the non-compliance by the OS/OM regarding the delivery of the required information; as of today, ICE has not proceeded to send the necessary settlement procedure, which not only affects the application of the tariff methodology RE-0195-JD-2021 (and its modification RE-0023-JD-2026), but also delays the schedule proposed by this Regulatory Authority in section “III.ON THE TECHNICAL JUSTIFICATION OF DEADLINES AND MATERIAL IMPOSSIBILITY OF A POSSIBLE SUMMARY COMPLIANCE (2 MONTHS)” of the previously rendered report. In this regard, it must be reiterated that said scenario was developed based on the timely compliance by the OS/OM (ICE) with what was required in official communication OF0225-IE-2026, that is, by March 20, 2026. However, said deadline has already elapsed and there is no proposal or any statement from the OS/OM in this regard, which evidently causes a delay in the progress of the proposed optimal scenario.
Your honorable Chamber should note that, as has been ordered, the OS/OM must propose such a procedure so that it may be submitted to the same approval process before Aresep as the other technical procedures derived from the “Technical Regulation for Ancillary Services in the National Electric System (AR-RT-SASEN)” (Reglamento técnico de los servicios auxiliares en el sistema eléctrico nacional). As was indicated in the rendered report, the approval of this latter procedure is also essential to be able to carry out the respective tariff setting. Note that, once all the technical procedures derived from the Technical Regulation AR-RT-SASEN were approved, the IE began the efforts to obtain the proposal for the Tariff Settlement Procedure for ancillary services (Procedimiento de liquidación tarifaria de los servicios auxiliares) that was to be prepared by ICE. Thus, since November 20, 2024, through official communication OF-1133-IE-2024, it required the OS/OM to submit the delivery schedule for the procedure and indicated, ‘It is not omitted to recall the importance of having the settlement procedure as a requirement to establish the remuneration tariff for ancillary services in the SEN’ (see file OT-0305-2020 provided as evidence).
Hence, it is necessary that this Constitutional Chamber deems it appropriate to request ICE, in its capacity as System Operator and Market Operator, to render a report on the delay in the delivery of the technical information requested by the Energy Directorate, in order to proceed to establish realistic deadlines for the definitive delivery of the tariff settlement model, which, as indicated in the rendered report, is the basic and essential prerequisite for this Regulatory Authority to comply with Transitory Provision I of Law No. 10086.”
“[F]rom the report rendered by ARESEP, it is concluded, without great difficulty, that such entity accepts and confesses the non-compliance or omission attributed to it. It is worth noting that, pursuant to the provisions of Article 44 of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law (Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional), this report is considered rendered under oath, whereby the fact must undoubtedly be taken as true. It must be clear that, upon the expiration of the aforementioned deadlines, both the tariffs corresponding to ancillary services (Transitory Provision I), and the tariffs and regulatory instruments necessary for the adequate integration of distributed energy resources that interconnect to the SEN (Transitory Provision II), were not approved, were not put into effect, and were not published in the Official Gazette (Diario Oficial), a situation of non-compliance that persists to this day.
Notwithstanding that ARESEP, throughout the rendered report, makes a great effort to dilute its responsibility, attributing omissions, non-compliances, and delays to ICE, the truth is that it accepts and confesses that the first management or action directed towards fulfilling its mission contained in the aforementioned transitory provisions was carried out on March 17, 2025, through official communication OF-0381-IE-2025, requesting information from ICE. In this regard, see the report rendered by ARESEP, on page 5. In any case, it must be clear that inefficiency in inter-institutional coordination is not opposable to citizens, whose constitutional protection must always be guaranteed. Thus, it is evident that since the expiration date of the deadlines granted by the referenced transitory provisions (July 7, 2022, and January 7, 2023), ARESEP allowed more than two years to pass in both cases, without attending to its duty, which contradicts any claim of diligent and timely compliance with its responsibilities and powers.
It should not be overlooked that ARESEP holds powers to compel regulated entities, including ICE, to supply information in a timely manner (arts. 14.c and 24 of Law No. 7593), so the non-use of such powers in the specific case, in order to expedite the tariff setting and other obligations claimed in this appeal, demonstrates negligent, inefficient, and ineffective conduct in the fulfillment of public duties. In conclusion: Given the evidence shown in this case file regarding the non-compliance or omission by ARESEP, we request that, in application of numeral 46 of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law, the amparo be granted.”
Drafted by Judge Garro Vargas; and,
Considering:
I.Purpose of the appeal. The petitioners state that on January 7, 2022, Law No. 10086, called “Law for the Promotion and Regulation of Distributed Energy Resources from Renewable Sources” (Ley de Promoción y Regulación de Recursos Energéticos Distribuidos a partir de Fuentes Renovables), was published in Gazette No. 3, Supplement (Alcance) No. 3. They indicate that said law develops Article 50 of the Political Constitution, aimed at stimulating the production of electric energy, as a means for increasing the country's economic potential. They indicate that within the regulation in question, the following transitory provisions were established: “TRANSITORY PROVISION I- Aresep shall have a period not exceeding six months, counted from the publication of this law, to approve and have in force the tariffs corresponding to ancillary services. TRANSITORY PROVISION II- Aresep shall have a period not exceeding twelve months, counted from the publication of this law, to set the tariffs and regulatory instruments that are necessary for the adequate integration of distributed energy resources that interconnect to the SEN networks.” However, they claim that despite the indicated deadline having been exceeded, the respondent authority has not issued the tariffs and regulations for the exchange of ancillary services. They consider that the foregoing causes a restriction or barrier to market entry, which violates their fundamental rights. They request the intervention of the Chamber.
The petitioners are presidents and legal representatives of the following companies: Materiales Electromecánicos Padilla S. A., Alquiler de Equipo para la Construcción Alco S. A., and Hidromundo Tecnológico Sociedad S. A. (incontrovertible fact); On January 7, 2022, Law No. 10086, called “Law for the Promotion and Regulation of Distributed Energy Resources from Renewable Sources” (Ley de Promoción y Regulación de Recursos Energéticos Distribuidos a partir de Fuentes Renovables), entered into force (see Gazette No. 3, Supplement No. 3, Law No. 10086 of January 7, 2022); Law No. 10086 contains the following transitory provisions:
“TRANSITORY PROVISION I- Aresep shall have a period not exceeding six months, counted from the publication of this law, to approve and have in force the tariffs corresponding to ancillary services.
TRANSITORY PROVISION II- Aresep shall have a period not exceeding twelve months, counted from the publication of this law, to set the tariffs and regulatory instruments that are necessary for the adequate integration of distributed energy resources that interconnect to the SEN networks.” (see the filing brief and the report rendered under oath); The deadlines imposed in the transitory provisions of Law No. 10086 for ARESEP to comply with what was established expired on July 7, 2022, and January 7, 2023 (see the filing brief and the report rendered under oath); The tariffs and regulatory instruments for the adequate integration of distributed energy resources that interconnect to the networks of the National Electric System (Sistema Eléctrico Nacional) are pending preparation by ARESEP (see the filing brief and the report rendered under oath).
III.On the specific case. In the sub lite, the petitioners state that on January 7, 2022, Law No. 10086, called “Law for the Promotion and Regulation of Distributed Energy Resources from Renewable Sources” (Ley de Promoción y Regulación de Recursos Energéticos Distribuidos a partir de Fuentes Renovables), was published in Gazette No. 3, Supplement No. 3. They indicate that said law develops Article 50 of the Political Constitution, aimed at stimulating the production of electric energy, as a means for increasing the country's economic potential. They indicate that within the regulation in question, the following transitory provisions were established: “TRANSITORY PROVISION I- Aresep shall have a period not exceeding six months, counted from the publication of this law, to approve and have in force the tariffs corresponding to ancillary services. TRANSITORY PROVISION II- Aresep shall have a period not exceeding twelve months, counted from the publication of this law, to set the tariffs and regulatory instruments that are necessary for the adequate integration of distributed energy resources that interconnect to the SEN networks.” However, they claim that despite the indicated deadline having been exceeded, the respondent authority has not issued the tariffs and regulations for the exchange of ancillary services. They consider that the foregoing causes a restriction or barrier to market entry, which violates their fundamental rights. They request the intervention of the Chamber.
In this regard, from the analysis of the report rendered under oath by the respondent authority—with the consequences, including criminal ones, provided for in numeral 44 of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law (Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional)—it is evident that Law No. 10086 represents a paradigm shift in the architecture of the National Electric System, and for that reason its implementation requires ARESEP to exercise technical and legal weighting. In that sense, said regulation contains the following transitory provisions—claimed by the petitioners—:
“TRANSITORY PROVISION I- Aresep shall have a period not exceeding six months, counted from the publication of this law, to approve and have in force the tariffs corresponding to ancillary services.
TRANSITORY PROVISION II- Aresep shall have a period not exceeding twelve months, counted from the publication of this law, to set the tariffs and regulatory instruments that are necessary for the adequate integration of distributed energy resources that interconnect to the SEN networks.” However, despite the fact that the deadlines indicated in the transitory provisions have been amply exceeded, the tariffs and regulatory instruments for the adequate integration of distributed energy resources that interconnect to the networks of the National Electric System are pending preparation by ARESEP.
Now, in the present case, the petitioners allege an impact due to the omission by ARESEP in complying with the transitory provisions. They state that they are presidents and legal representatives of the following companies: Materiales Electromecánicos Padilla S. A., Alquiler de Equipo para la Construcción Alco S. A., and Hidromundo Tecnológico Sociedad S. A. They base the filing of this amparo appeal on the fact that Law No. 10086 is a legal provision that develops Article 50 of the Political Constitution, aimed at stimulating the production of electric energy, as a means for increasing the country's economic potential. They explain that it seeks to integrate the economic and business capacities of the private sector towards the goal of creating well-being for the community, thus being faced with the figure of State promotion activity aimed at stimulating the initiative of individuals to obtain minimum levels of legal and economic security. Therefore, they are emphatic in claiming that the omission by ARESEP prevents them from making decisions regarding the production and provision of that object, with total economic uncertainty and business paralysis. They expressly state:
“Without tariff setting, the market cannot operate, and without regulation, transactions cannot be agreed upon, for two fundamental reasons: A. Because according to the text of the law, the contractual relationship applicable to the negotiation of ancillary services is executed through the sale and purchase contract (contrato de compraventa) and for it to be perfected it is necessary that the parties agree on the object and price, as required by Article 1049 of the Civil Code. B. Because any sale and purchase of ancillary services executed at a price different from that set or authorized by ARESEP exposes the contracting parties to a fine under the terms of Article 38 of Law No. 7593; that is, individuals would incur in illegitimate conduct.” By virtue of the foregoing, the petitioners state that ARESEP's omission in complying with the provisions established in Law No. 10086 injures Articles 46 and 50 of the Constitution, to the detriment of the development of the companies intending to engage in the production of distributed energy resources based on renewable energy sources and of environmental protection.
The second paragraph of Article 49 of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law allows for the analysis, via amparo, of the omission by the Executive Branch to regulate or enforce what is provided by a norm, when such inactivity relates to the protection of a fundamental right. Hence, the substantive analysis in this avenue is pertinent (see in this regard ruling No. 2026-011637 of 1:05 p.m. on March 27, 2026).
Thus, although from the analysis of the report by the respondent authority the various actions that have been executed by ARESEP to comply with the transitory provisions of Law No. 10086 are observed, it is no less true that a disproportionate period has elapsed, with the aggravating factor that the uncertainty and insecurity alleged by the petitioners persist. It must be considered that the deadline indicated in Transitory Provision I expired on July 7, 2022, and the deadline set in Transitory Provision II expired on January 7, 2023. For this reason, an inactivity susceptible to jurisdictional control via amparo is noted, pursuant to the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 49 of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law, as a partial non-compliance with the legislative mandate contained in Law No. 10086 persists. It should be noted that this regulation is aimed at promoting the progressive incorporation of distributed energy resources based on renewable sources, under conditions of efficient, safe, and sustainable integration within the National Electric System, through the creation of regulatory and tariff instruments intended to make the access, installation, connection, interaction, and control of this type of technologies viable.
Under that logic, the absence of a comprehensive and timely implementation of the regulatory mechanisms provided for in the law transcends the strictly technical or tariff sphere, as it directly affects the effectiveness of the regulatory model designed by the legislator to favor environmentally sustainable electric generation schemes. Precisely in environmental matters, the State is not only obliged to react to already consummated damage, but also to deploy timely and effective actions aimed at avoiding, reducing, or controlling risks of impact, in accordance with the preventive and precautionary principles that inform the content of Article 50 of the Political Constitution. These principles impose on public powers duties of anticipatory action in the face of scenarios in which the absence or postponement of State measures may compromise the consolidation of mechanisms aimed at favoring environmentally sustainable development models, as occurs in the present matter with the implementation of the regulatory regime oriented to promoting the integration of distributed energy resources based on renewable sources.
From that perspective, the effective implementation of the regime provided for in Law No. 10086 constitutes a tool aimed at strengthening energy transition, decarbonization, diversification of renewable sources, and rational use of energy resources processes, such that an indefinite postponement of the tariff and regulatory instruments necessary for its operability ends up weakening the effectiveness of legislative mechanisms created precisely to advance towards energy models compatible with environmental sustainability. Such a situation, moreover, generates uncertainty regarding the conditions under which the different economic actors can develop activities linked to distributed renewable generation, with an impact also on freedom of enterprise and commerce.
Finally, regarding the difficulties referred to by the regulator, the petitioners are correct in stating that ARESEP holds powers to compel regulated entities to supply timely information, as established by Article 24 of the ARESEP Law:
“Article 24.- Supply of information At the request of the Regulatory Authority, the regulated entities shall supply reports, data, copies of files, and any other electronic or written medium where financial, accounting, economic, statistical, and technical information related to the provision of the public service they provide is stored. For the exclusive fulfillment of its functions, the Regulatory Authority shall have the power to inspect and record the legal and accounting books, vouchers, reports, equipment, and facilities of the providers.” From the reading of the transcribed norm, it is evident that ARESEP has sufficient powers to request and inspect the necessary information in order to issue any technical regulation.
Consequently, the appeal is granted with the consequences indicated in the operative part of this ruling.
IV.Dissenting vote of Judge Rueda Leal. Given that from the reading of the filing brief it is evident that the amparo appeal is filed by the presidents and legal representatives of Materiales Electromecánicos Padilla S. A., Alquiler de Equipo para la Construcción Alco S. A., and Hidromundo Tecnológico S. A., and it cannot be inferred from the argumentative development that a specific natural person suffers an injury, I hold that this matter should be rejected outright, since the petitioner brings the amparo appeal on behalf of legal entities. Of importance for the sub examine, in the dissenting vote I recorded in ruling No. 2019002355 of 9:30 a.m. on February 12, 2019, I stated:
“in Advisory Opinion 22-16 of February 26, 2016, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights indicated that although some States recognize the right of petition to legal entities under special conditions, such as unions, political parties, or representatives of indigenous peoples, Afro-descendant communities, or specific groups, the truth is that ‘Article 1.2 of the American Convention only enshrines rights in favor of natural persons, therefore legal entities are not holders of the rights enshrined in said treaty.’ On the other hand, in the same advisory opinion, the Inter-American Court provided that, in certain particular contexts, natural persons may exercise their rights through legal entities (for example, through a media outlet, as occurred in the case of Granier et al. v. Venezuela); however, for this to be protectable before the inter-American system, ‘the exercise of the right through a legal entity must involve an essential and direct relationship between the natural person requiring protection from the inter-American system and the legal entity through which the violation occurred, since a simple link between both persons is not sufficient to conclude that the rights of natural persons and not those of the legal entities are indeed being protected.
Indeed, it must be proven beyond the simple participation of the natural person in the activities of the legal entity, so that such participation is substantially related to the rights alleged to have been violated.’ (emphasis added) (OC. 22/16).” In my opinion, the reading of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law obliges the same ratio of the aforementioned conventional hermeneutics regarding all fundamental rights. Thus, in a constitutionality proceeding formulated on behalf of a legal entity, its admission for study requires an essential and direct relationship between the legal entity that claims to be affected by some violation of the constitutional order and the natural person who, due to such injury, sees a fundamental right diminished, in a reflected but direct manner. Now, for such purposes, the mere reference to a connection or link between the legal entity and the natural person is insufficient to be able to infer that, precisely, through the constitutionality proceeding, the safeguarding of the fundamental rights of the latter is being sought, not merely those of the former.
The aforementioned requirement thus becomes a condition sine qua non for the admissibility of the constitutionality control by this jurisdiction. Based on the foregoing, I conclude that this must be the guideline with which the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law must be interpreted, so that in the sub iudice, the application of jurisdictional constitutionality control is inadmissible, since, based on the evidence in the case file, the essential link between the legal entities protected and any specific natural person who is also specifically and directly affected by the fundamental right alleged to be violated has not been demonstrated.
V.Documentation provided to the case file. The petitioner is warned that if any paper document was provided, as well as objects or evidence contained in any additional electronic, computer, magnetic, optical, telematic device or one produced by new technologies, these must be removed from the office within a maximum period of 30 business days counted from the notification of this ruling. Otherwise, all material not removed within this period will be destroyed, as provided in the "Regulation on the Electronic Case File before the Judicial Branch" (Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial), approved by the Full Court (Corte Plena) in session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, Article XXVI and published in Judicial Bulletin (Boletín Judicial) number 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as in the agreement approved by the Superior Council of the Judicial Branch (Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial), in session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, Article LXXXI.
Therefore:
The appeal is granted. Erick Bogantes Cabezas, in his capacity as regulator general of the Public Services Regulatory Authority (Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos), or whoever holds that position, is ordered to coordinate and arrange all actions within the scope of his powers, so that the tariffs corresponding to ancillary services, the tariffs, and the regulatory instruments necessary for the adequate integration of distributed energy resources that interconnect to the networks of the National Electric System are issued, in accordance with the transitory provisions of Law No. 10086, called “Law for the Promotion and Regulation of Distributed Energy Resources from Renewable Sources” (Ley de Promoción y Regulación de Recursos Energéticos Distribuidos a partir de Fuentes Renovables), within the period of TWO MONTHS, counted from the notification of this ruling. The respondent, or whoever holds that position, is warned that, in accordance with the provisions of Article 71 of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law, imprisonment of three months to two years or a fine of twenty to sixty days shall be imposed on anyone who receives an order that they must comply with or enforce, issued within an amparo appeal, and does not comply with it or does not have it complied with, provided the crime is not more severely punished.
The State is ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts that serve as the basis for this ruling, which shall be liquidated in the sentence enforcement proceeding of the administrative litigation court. Judge Rueda Leal dissents and rejects the appeal outright. Notify.
Fernando Castillo V. President Fernando Cruz C.
Paul Rueda L. Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G. Anamari Garro V.
Ingrid Hess H.
CASE FILE No. 26-005612-0007-CO Telephones: 2549-1500 / 800-SALA-4TA (800-7252-482). Fax: 2220-4607 / 2220-4844. Electronic address: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Sabana Sur, Calle Morenos, 100 meters south of the Perpetuo Socorro church).
Revisión del Documento SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las nueve horas treinta minutos del nueve de junio de dos mil veintiseis .
Recurso de amparo interpuesto por [Nombre 001], cédula de identidad [Valor 001], [Nombre 002], cédula de identidad [Valor 002], y [Nombre 003], cédula de identidad [Valor 003], contra la AUTORIDAD REGULADORA DE LOS SERVICIOS PUBLICOS (ARESEP).
Resultando:
“Los recurrentes alegan una supuesta omisión por parte de la ARESEP, debido a un supuesto incumplimiento de los transitorios I y II de la Ley 10086, que ha derivado en la supuesta violación a los derechos fundamentales de libertad de empresa de los actores. II. EXORDIO: LA NATURALEZA TÉCNICO-JURÍDICA DE LA REGULACIÓN BAJO LA LEY N° 10086 Y EL BLOQUE DE LEGALIDAD La Ley de Promoción y Regulación de Recursos Energéticos Distribuidos (N° 10086) no constituye una norma de aplicación mecánica ni de ejecución automática. Por el contrario, representa un cambio de paradigma en la arquitectura del Sistema Eléctrico Nacional (SEN), cuya implementación exige de esta Autoridad Reguladora un ejercicio de ponderación técnica y jurídica de extrema complejidad. La función reguladora, en este contexto, no se agota en la simple emisión de un acto administrativo, sino en la creación de un ecosistema normativo que garantice, de forma simultánea, la eficiencia económica, la continuidad del servicio, la seguridad operativa, el servicio al costo y el equilibrio financiero de todos los actores del sistema.
De ahí que, la ARESEP se encuentra sometida a un riguroso Bloque de Legalidad (Artículos 11 de la Constitución Política y 11 de la Ley General de la Administración Pública). En virtud de ello, cualquier fijación tarifaria o disposición técnica derivada de la Ley 10086 debe estar precedida, obligatoriamente, por estudios técnicos robustos que aseguren el cumplimiento del Principio de Servicio al Costo, según lo estipula el artículo 31 de la Ley N° 7593. Este principio no es una mera directriz, sino un límite infranqueable a la discrecionalidad administrativa: la ARESEP tiene prohibido legalmente dictar tarifas basadas en meras expectativas, proyecciones infundadas o datos incompletos, so pena de incurrir en actuaciones disconformes con el ordenamiento jurídico. La naturaleza de la regulación en la Ley 10086 implica la integración de los Recursos Energéticos Distribuidos (DER) en una red eléctrica que fue diseñada bajo un modelo centralizado.
Por tanto, la creación de tarifas para "servicios auxiliares" (parte del objeto de la queja de los recurrentes) conlleva la identificación técnica de costos de respaldo, regulación de frecuencia y voltaje, tareas que exigen una precisión técnica absoluta para no trasladar costos ineficientes a los usuarios. En consecuencia, el tiempo que la Administración emplea en la instrucción de estos expedientes no debe interpretarse como una "omisión", sino como la manifestación del deber de diligencia debida, y la observancia del Principio del servicio al costo. Dictar una regulación precipitada, sin los insumos técnicos definitivos y sin el debido proceso que garantice la seguridad del SEN, constituiría una violación grosera al mandato constitucional de eficiencia y protección del usuario. La regulación, bajo la Ley 10086, es un proceso de ingeniería jurídica y económica que no puede ser sacrificado por las urgencias particulares de sujetos privados que no han acreditado una lesión real a su esfera de derechos.
III. ANTECEDENTES DE RELEVANCIA Y ACTUACIONES ADMINISTRATIVAS (DESARROLLO INTEGRAL Y CRONOLÓGICO). La tesis de la parte recurrente sobre una supuesta "omisión" administrativa se desvirtúa ante el examen exhaustivo de los expedientes administrativos que fueron abiertos por esta Autoridad Reguladora, para cumplir con la disposición del legislador. En este sentido, se puede comprobar de los expedientes administrativos que la ARESEP ha ejecutado una cadena ininterrumpida de actos técnicos y jurídicos, cuya trazabilidad documental es la siguiente: A. SOBRE LAS TARIFAS DE LOS SERVICIOS AUXILIARES (TRANSITORIO I): En relación con la fijación de las tarifas de servicios auxiliares aplicables a los generadores distribuidos relativas al Transitorio I, el legislador partió de que, para el momento de entrada en vigencia de la Ley N° 10086, ya existía una “Metodología Tarifaria para la remuneración de los servicios auxiliares en el Sistema Eléctrico Nacional (SEN)” dispuesta por la Aresep mediante la resolución RE-0195-JD-2021 del 17 de agosto de 2021, publicada en el Alcance Digital N° 173 a La Gaceta N° 169 del 2 de setiembre de 2021.
Por ello se parte del supuesto de que, cuando se emitió la Ley N° 10086, el legislador sobre entendió que al existir dicha metodología tarifaria vigente y aplicable, con ella se podía abarcar de una vez las tarifas de servicios auxiliares relativas a los prestadores de recursos energéticos distribuidos. No obstante, esto no era de tal manera, dado que, cuando esa metodología se dictó en el año 2021, la Ley N° 10086 no existía (fue publicada el 7 de enero de 2022), y por ello, tal instrumento metodológico no contemplaba lo relativo a los prestadores de recursos energéticos distribuidos. Por lo anterior, en atención a lo dispuesto en este Transitorio, a fin de fijar las tarifas de servicios auxiliares aplicables a los prestadores de recursos energéticos distribuidos, la Aresep debió empezar por modificar la metodología tarifaria vigente (RE-0195-JD-2021) e iniciar un procedimiento administrativo para que en adelante la metodología incluyera en la fijación de las tarifas, estos servicios.
El análisis preliminar para identificar la mejor forma de proponer la modificación en cuestión fue tramitado inicialmente mediante el expediente restringido PIRM-006-2023, mientras que, una vez, desarrollada la propuesta, ésta fue tramitada hasta su aprobación final mediante el expediente IRM-001-2024. Tramitado dicho procedimiento, finalmente se dictó la resolución RE-0023-JD-2026, del 11 de marzo de 2026, publicada en el Alcance N° 27 a La Gaceta N° 50 del 13 de marzo de 2026, mediante la cual, la ARESEP dispuso la modificación parcial de la metodología tarifaria vigente (RE-0195-JD-2021), a fin de incluir lo dispuesto en la Ley N° 10086 y su reglamento, realizando modificaciones en cuanto a: i) Apartado 1. Alcance, ii) Apartado 3. Modelo de cálculo, en su Ecuación 1 (tarifa de reserva secundaria) y Ecuación 3 (tarifa de reserva terciaria), iii) Apartado 4. Liquidación de los servicios auxiliares, en sus Ecuaciones 5 y 13, iv) Apartado 5.
Periodicidad de cálculo y v) Agregar un transitorio. El trámite de este procedimiento de modificación parcial de la metodología tarifaria vigente (RE-0195-JD-2021), no tuvo incidencias menores, pues si bien una vez que, se tuvo además de la Ley N.º 10086, su respectivo Reglamento, la ARESEP procedió, un mes después, con el inicio de las labores correspondientes. Como se observa en detalle en los resultandos de la resolución RE-0023-JD-2026, dicho procedimiento fue debidamente tramitado, se contó con la propuesta preliminar necesaria, según el informe IN-0079-CDR-2023, del 11 de diciembre de 2023 (folios 46 al 89, expediente IRM-001-2024), la cual fue sometida a audiencia pública virtual el 19 de abril de 2024, según consta en el acta AC-0372-DGAU-2024, del 23 de abril de 2024 (folio 113, expediente IRM-001-2024). Una vez conocida dicha propuesta de modificación parcial en audiencia pública, el procedimiento continuó y finalmente, se tuvo a disposición el informe técnico post audiencia pública, IN-00033-CDR-2024, del 27 de junio de 2024 (folios 137 a 180, IRM-001-2024), siendo que, cuando éste fue conocido por la Junta Directiva de la Aresep, en la sesión ordinaria N° 63-2024, del 7 de agosto de 2024, se tomó el siguiente acuerdo: “ACUERDO 05-63-2024 I. Continuar con el conocimiento de este punto en una próxima sesión.
II. Solicitar a la Intendencia de Energía y a la Dirección General Centro de Desarrollo de la Regulación (CDR), que presenten a esta Junta Directiva, escenarios sobre los efectos de la aplicación de la “Metodología tarifaria para la remuneración de los servicios auxiliares en el Sistema Eléctrico Nacional (SEN)” dictada mediante la resolución RE-0195-JD-2021 y su propuesta de modificación, en el plazo máximo de tres meses contados a partir de la comunicación de este acuerdo. III.Comunicar a este acuerdo a la Intendencia de Energía y a la Dirección General Centro Desarrollo de la Regulación (CDR)” Dicho acuerdo fue comunicado mediante el oficio OF-0611-SJD-2024 del 14 de agosto de 2024. Como puede notarse, previo a la decisión final sobre la propuesta de modificación parcial, la Junta Directiva debía conocer los escenarios que presentaban de manera preliminar los eventuales efectos de la aplicación de la metodología tarifaria (modificada parcialmente).
A fin de atender lo requerido por la Junta Directiva la Intendencia de Energía (en adelante IE) de esta Autoridad Reguladora procedió con la solicitud de la información necesaria ante el Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (en adelante ICE) para realizar los escenarios. Este proceso de recopilación de esta información era trascendental y dependía de lo que aportara el ICE. A continuación, se detallan las actuaciones relativas a dicha solicitud de información al ICE: 1. El 17 de marzo de 2025, mediante el oficio OF-0381-IE-2025, la IE le solicitó al ICE la información requerida. 2. El 28 de marzo de 2025, mediante el oficio 5407-029-2025 y enviada a la IE el 02 de abril de 2025, el ICE le solicitó a la IE una prórroga al 09 de junio de 2025, para la entrega de la información requerida por medio del oficio OF0381-IE-2025 “Solicitud de información para el cumplimiento del acuerdo 05- 63-2011 de Junta Directiva". 3.
El 10 de abril de 2025, mediante el oficio OF-0581-IE-2025, la IE le concedió prórroga al ICE hasta el 30 de mayo de 2025 para la entrega de información solicitada en el oficio OF-0381-IE-2025. 4. El 30 de mayo de 2025, mediante el oficio 1250-309-2025, el ICE le entregó a la IE la información solicitada por medio del oficio OF-0381-IE-2025. Además, el ICE mencionó acerca de la información aportada: “No omitimos manifestar que la información suministrada es preliminar y para análisis internos del Regulador. Reiteramos nuestro compromiso con la entrega del “Modelo simplificado de asignación y liquidación de servicios auxiliares” para el 2026.” El resaltado no es del original. 5. El 15 de julio de 2025, mediante el oficio conjunto OF-0971-IE-2025/OF-0235-DGDR-2025, en cumplimiento al Por Tanto II del acuerdo 05-63-2024 de la sesión ordinaria 63-2024, la IE y Dirección General del Desarrollo de la Regulación (en adelante DGDR) presentaron a la Junta Directica una corrida preliminar (con corte de la información a diciembre 2024) de las tarifas de Servicios Auxiliares de acuerdo con la información brindada por el ICE en el oficio 1250-309-2025. 6.
El 06 de agosto de 2025 por medio del acuerdo N° 05-59-2025 de la sesión extraordinaria N° 59-2025 y notificada a la IE mediante el oficio OF-0564- SJD-2025 de la misma fecha, la Junta Directiva dispuso en el Por Tanto II: “(…) II. Instruir a la Intendencia de Energía que coordine con la Dirección General de Desarrollo de la Regulación, para que, con base en Io detectado en el oficio OF-0971-IE-2025/OF-0235-DGDR-2025 del 15 de julio de 2025, en relación con la falta de información, la necesidad de revisar y validar los datos, y el carácter preliminar de los resultados presentados, procedan a realizar un análisis de consistencia de la información remitida por el ICE. Con fundamento en dicho análisis, deberá presentar nuevamente a la Junta Directiva los escenarios sobre los efectos de la aplicación de la "Metodología tarifaria para la remuneración de los servicios auxiliares en el Sistema Eléctrico Nacional SEN)", dictada mediante la resolución RE-0195-JD-2021, así como su propuesta de modificación.
Lo anterior deberá cumplirse en un plazo máximo de tres meses. (…)” 7. El 21 de agosto de 2025, la IE realizó con el ICE, la primera mesa de trabajo para la revisión y comparación de las estimaciones de las tarifas de Servicios Auxiliares entre los equipos técnicos del ICE y la IE. 8. El 19 de setiembre de 2025, mediante el oficio OF-1200-IE-2025, la IE le solicitó al ICE la designación de un enlace técnico por parte del DOCSE para la atención de consultas referidas a la información enviada por el ICE en el oficio 1250-309-2025 en cumplimiento del oficio OF-0381-IE-2025. 9. El 03 de octubre de 2025, la IE realizó con el ICE la segunda mesa de trabajo, en donde se revisó y validó nuevamente la información y tarifas de Servicios Auxiliares. Además, se acordó validar la información de los costos de operación, mantenimiento y depreciación (COMD) y del activo fijo neto de operación revaluado (AFNOR) con la encargada del proceso de tarifas del ICE. 10.El 13 de octubre de 2025, se recibió por parte del ICE un correo electrónico con el archivo “251013 Cálculo tarifas SSAA 2024”, en donde se indicó el ajuste de los COMD de las plantas térmicas y AFNOR (exclusión del costo de combustibles de las plantas térmicas) para la tarifa de reserva terciaria.
Con ello ajustó la información que el ICE había aportado mediante el oficio 1250-309-2025, del 30 de mayo de 2025. Ante dicho cambio de información la IE debió realizar una nueva valoración de ésta. 11.El 27 de febrero de 2026, mediante el oficio conjunto OF-0172-IE-2026/OF0075-DGDR-2026, en cumplimiento del Por Tanto II del acuerdo N° 05-59- 2025 de la sesión extraordinaria N° 59-2025, la IE y DGDR presentaron ante Junta Directiva una segunda corrida preliminar (con corte de la información a diciembre 2024) de las tarifas de Servicios Auxiliares de acuerdo a la información brindada por el ICE en el oficio 1250-309-2025 y del archivo “251013 Cálculo tarifas SSAA 2024” con la información ajustada de COMD y AFNOR, donde excluyeron el costo de combustibles de las plantas térmicas. Como puede observarse, la IE debió efectuar dos veces el análisis para realizar las corridas preliminares que permitían atender lo solicitado por la Junta Directiva, previo a la aprobación de la modificación parcial de la metodología tarifaria vigente.
Se realizaron dos corridas y se presentaron dos informes conjuntos ante la Junta Directiva, debido a que el ICE desde un primer momento (oficio 1250-309-2025, del 30 de mayo de 2025) aportó información preliminar, que durante la primera corrida no brindó mayor precisión, raíz de lo cual, la Junta Directiva según el acuerdo N° 05-59-2025 solicitó una segunda corrida debiendo realizarse un “análisis de consistencia de la información remitida por el ICE.” A partir de lo anterior, la IE y la DGDR efectuaron dos mesas redondas con el ICE de revisión y validación de la información aportada. Incluso, una vez efectuadas las mesas redondas, el ICE mediante correo electrónico del 13 de octubre de 2025, aportó un nuevo archivo denominado “251013 Cálculo tarifas SSAA 2024”, en donde indicó el ajuste de los COMD de las plantas térmicas y AFNOR (exclusión del costo de combustibles de las plantas térmicas) para la tarifa de reserva terciaria.
Dicha información no tenía trazabilidad por lo que requirió validarla con la información aportada inicialmente. Ese archivo nuevo, implicó un cambio parcial de la información que ya había aportado mediante el oficio 1250-309-2025, del 30 de mayo de 2025 y que había sido validada en las mesas redondas efectuadas. Ante dicho cambio de información se debieron efectuar nuevas valoraciones para emitir el segundo oficio conjunto OF-0172-IE-2026/OF-0075-DGDR-2026, del 27 de febrero de 2026, en el cual se plasmó la segunda corrida presentada ante Junta Directiva. Téngase en cuenta que, el ICE produjo no solo retrasos, sino también reprocesos en la elaboración de los escenarios que solicitó la Junta Directiva, pues incluso, pidieron prórrogas para aportar dicha información, aportaron información preliminar y posteriormente, la cambiaron, además de que, ameritaron mesas redondas dada la información aportada.
Lo descrito, finalmente terminó provocando que se le debieran solicitar prórrogas a la Junta Directiva para aportar lo requerido y que la decisión de aprobación se tomara hasta el 11 de marzo de 2026 (RE-0023-JD-2026). Ahora bien, para tarifar los servicios auxiliares aplicables a los prestadores de recursos energéticos distribuidos y cumplir con el Transitorio I de la Ley N° 10086, no solo se requería esperar a que el reglamento a dicha ley entrara en vigencia o que se modificara la metodología tarifaria vigente, también, conforme al “Reglamento técnico de los servicios auxiliares en el sistema eléctrico nacional (ARRT-SASEN)” dispuesto por la Aresep mediante la resolución RE-0140-JD-2019 del 26 de noviembre de 2019, publicada en el Alcance Digital N° 279 a La Gaceta N° 283 del 13 de diciembre de 2019, correspondía la aprobación de los respectivos procedimientos técnicos necesarios para establecer los requerimientos técnicos y operativos que aplicarían a todos los prestadores de servicios auxiliares y agentes del MEN.
Al respecto, el artículo 28 del mencionado Reglamento señala: “Artículo 28. Procedimientos técnicos El OS/OM deberá presentar, para revisión y aprobación, a la Aresep las propuestas de cada uno de los procedimientos técnicos según lo indicado en el cuerpo de este Reglamento Técnico para su implementación, que incluya al menos lo relacionado con los temas y servicios auxiliares:
“[E]n el informe rendido en fecha 18 de marzo de los corrientes, entre otras cosas se indicó que, la aplicación de la metodología tarifaria RE-0195-JD-2021 (y su modificación RE-0023-JD-2026) es materialmente imposible sin el Procedimiento de Liquidación Tarifaria que el Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (en adelante ICE) como el Operador del Sistema y Operador del Mercado (OS/OM) debe proponer. De ahí que, mediante el oficio OF-0225-IE-2026 del 13 de marzo de 2026 (visible a folio 697 del expediente administrativo OT-305-2020 aportado) la Intendencia de Energía de esta Autoridad Reguladora (En adelante IE), una vez más, procedió a solicitarle al ICE que en el plazo de 5 días hábiles, enviara el procedimiento correspondiente al modelo propuesto de liquidación de los servicios auxiliares, en aras de poder continuar con el trámite regulatorio, dicho plazo otorgado al ICE vencía el 20 de marzo de 2026.
Ahora bien, mediante el oficio OF-0264-IE-2026 del 23 de marzo de 2026, la IE informó a la Dirección General Legal de esta Autoridad, sobre el incumplimiento por parte del OS/OM, en cuanto a la entrega de la información requerida; al día de hoy, el ICE no ha procedido a enviar el procedimiento de liquidación necesario, lo cual no solo afecta la aplicación de la metodología tarifaria RE-0195-JD-2021 (y su modificación RE-0023-JD-2026), si no que retrasa el cronograma propuesto por esta Autoridad Reguladora en el apartado “III.SOBRE LA JUSTIFICACIÓN TÉCNICA DE PLAZOS E IMPOSIBILIDAD MATERIAL DE UN POSIBLE CUMPLIMIENTO SUMARIO (2 MESES)” del informe previamente rendido. En este sentido, se debe reiterar que dicho escenario se desarrolló partiendo del cumplimiento en tiempo por parte del OS/OM (ICE) de lo requerido en el oficio OF0225-IE-2026, es decir, al 20 de marzo de 2026. No obstante, dicho plazo ya transcurrió y no se cuenta con una propuesta o alguna manifestación de parte del OS/OM al respecto, lo que provoca evidentemente un retraso en el avance del escenario óptimo propuesto.
Tenga en cuenta su honorable Sala, que según ha sido dispuesto, el OS/OM debe proponer tal procedimiento a fin de que sea sometido al mismo trámite de aprobación por parte de la Aresep, que los otros procedimientos técnicos derivados del “Reglamento técnico de los servicios auxiliares en el sistema eléctrico nacional (AR-RT-SASEN)”. Tal y como se señaló en el informe rendido, la aprobación de este último procedimiento también es esencial para poder realizar la fijación tarifaria respectiva. Véase que, una vez que fueron aprobados todos los procedimientos técnicos derivados del Reglamento técnico AR-RT-SASEN, la IE dio inicio con las gestiones a fin de obtener la propuesta del Procedimiento de liquidación tarifaria de los servicios auxiliares que debía ser elaborado por el ICE. De esta forma, desde el 20 de noviembre de 2024, mediante el oficio OF-1133-IE-2024, le requirió al OS/OM presentar el cronograma de entrega del procedimiento y le indicó “No se omite recordar la importancia de contar con el procedimiento de liquidación como requisito para establecer la tarifa de remuneración de los servicios auxiliares en el SEN” (ver el expediente OT-0305-2020 aportado como prueba) De ahí que, resulta necesario, que esta Sala Constitucional estime procedente solicitarle rendir informe al ICE, en su condición de Operador del Sistema y Operador del Mercado, sobre la mora en la entrega de la información técnica solicitada por la Intendencia de Energía, con el fin de que proceda a establecer plazos reales para la entrega definitiva del modelo de liquidación tarifaria, el cual como se indicó en el informe rendido, es el presupuesto básico y esencial para que esta Autoridad Reguladora pueda cumplir con el Transitorio I de la Ley N° 10086”.
“[D]el informe rendido por la ARESEP se concluye, sin mayor dificultad, que tal entidad acepta y confiesa el incumplimiento u omisión que se le atribuye. Valga señalar que, conforme a lo preceptuado por el artículo 44 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, ese informe se considera rendido bajo juramento, por lo cual indudablemente el hecho se debe tener por cierto. Téngase claro que, al vencimiento de los plazos aludidos, tanto las tarifas correspondientes a servicios auxiliares (transitorio I), como las tarifas e instrumentos regulatorios necesarios para la adecuada integración de los recursos energéticos distribuidos que se interconecten al SEN (transitorio II), no estuvieron aprobadas, no fueron puestas en vigencia y no fueron publicadas en el Diario Oficial, situación de incumplimiento que se mantiene hasta hoy. No obstante que la ARESEP, a lo largo del informe rendido, hace un gran esfuerzo por diluir su responsabilidad, achacando al ICE omisiones, incumplimientos y retrasos, es lo cierto que acepta y confiesa que la primera gestión o actuación, en dirección al cumplimiento de su misión contenida en los transitorios aludidos, la realizó el 17 de marzo de 2025, mediante el oficio OF-0381-IE-2025, solicitando al ICE información.
AI respecto véase el informe rendido por ARESEP, en página 5. En todo caso, téngase claro que la ineficiencia en la coordinación interinstitucional no es oponible a los ciudadanos, cuya protección constitucional debe quedar siempre garantizada. Así, es evidente que desde la fecha de vencimiento de los plazos concedidos por los transitorios de referencia (7 de julio de 2022 y 7 de enero de 2023), la ARESEP dejó pasar más de dos años en ambos casos, sin ocuparse de cumplir con su deber, lo cual contradice cualquier manifestación de cumplimiento diligente y en tiempo de sus responsabilidades y atribuciones. No debe inobservarse que la ARESEP ostenta potestades para obligar a las entidades reguladas, entre ellas el ICE, a suministrar información de manera oponuna (arts. 14.c y 24 de la Ley número 7593), por lo que la no utilización de tales atribuciones en el caso concreto, a efecto de agilizar la fijación tarifaria y demás obligaciones que se reclaman en este recurso, demuestra una conducta negligente, ineficiente e ineficaz en el cumplimiento de los deberes públicos.
En conclusión: Ante la evidencia mostrada en este expediente respecto al incumplimiento u omisión por parte de la ARESEP, solicitamos que, en aplicación del numeral 46 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se proceda declarar con lugar el amparo”.
Redacta la Magistrada Garro Vargas; y,
Considerando:
I.Objeto del recurso. Los recurrentes manifiestan que el 7 de enero de 2022 se publicó en la Gaceta nro. 3, Alcance nro. 3, la ley nro. 10086, denominada “Ley de Promoción y Regulación de Recursos Energéticos Distribuidos a partir de Fuentes Renovables”. Señalan que dicha ley desarrolla el artículo 50 de la Constitución Política, dirigiéndose al estímulo de la producción de energía eléctrica, como un medio para el aumento del potencial económico del país. Indican que dentro de la normativa en cuestión se establecieron las siguientes disposiciones transitorias: “TRANSITORIO I- La Aresep tendrá un plazo no superior a seis meses, contado a partir de la publicación de la presente ley, para aprobar y tener vigente las tarifas correspondientes a servicios auxiliares. TRANSITORIO II- La Aresep tendrá un plazo no superior a doce meses, contado a partir de la publicación de la presente ley, para fijar las tarifas y los instrumentos regulatorios que sean necesarios para la adecuada integración de los recursos energéticos distribuidos que se interconecten a las redes del SEN”.
Sin embargo, reclaman que pese a que el plazo señalado ha sido superado la autoridad recurrida no ha dictado las tarifas y regulaciones para el intercambio de servicios auxiliares. Considera que lo anterior provoca una restricción o barrera de entrada al mercado lo que vulnera sus derechos fundamentales. Solicitan la intervención de la Sala.
II.Hechos probados. De importancia para la decisión de este asunto, se estiman como debidamente demostrados los siguientes hechos:
Los recurrentes son presidentes y representantes legales de las siguientes sociedades: Materiales Electromecánicos Padilla S. A., Alquiler de Equipo para la Construcción Alco S. A. y Hidromundo Tecnológico Sociedad S. A. (hecho incontrovertido); El 7 de enero de 2022 entró en vigor la ley nro. 10086, denominada “Ley de Promoción y Regulación de Recursos Energéticos Distribuidos a partir de Fuentes Renovables” (ver la Gaceta nro. 3, Alcance nro. 3, ley nro. 10086 del 7 de enero de 2022); La ley nro. 10086 contiene las siguientes disposiciones transitorias:
“TRANSITORIO I- La Aresep tendrá un plazo no superior a seis meses, contado a partir de la publicación de la presente ley, para aprobar y tener vigente las tarifas correspondientes a servicios auxiliares.
TRANSITORIO II- La Aresep tendrá un plazo no superior a doce meses, contado a partir de la publicación de la presente ley, para fijar las tarifas y los instrumentos regulatorios que sean necesarios para la adecuada integración de los recursos energéticos distribuidos que se interconecten a las redes del SEN” (ver el escrito de interposición y el informe rendido bajo juramento); Los plazos impuestos en las disposiciones transitorias de la ley nro. 10086 para que el ARESEP cumpliera con lo establecido vencieron el 7 de julio de 2022 y el 7 de enero de 2023 (ver el escrito de interposición y el informe rendido bajo juramento); Las tarifas y los instrumentos regulatorios para la adecuada integración de los recursos energéticos distribuidos que se interconecten a las redes del Sistema Eléctrico Nacional se encuentran pendientes de elaboración por parte del ARESEP (ver el escrito de interposición y el informe rendido bajo juramento).
III.Sobre el caso concreto. En el sub lite, los recurrentes manifiestan que el 7 de enero de 2022 se publicó en la Gaceta nro. 3, Alcance nro. 3, la ley nro. 10086, denominada “Ley de Promoción y Regulación de Recursos Energéticos Distribuidos a partir de Fuentes Renovables”. Señalan que dicha ley desarrolla el artículo 50 de la Constitución Política, dirigiéndose al estímulo de la producción de energía eléctrica, como un medio para el aumento del potencial económico del país. Indican que dentro de la normativa en cuestión se establecieron las siguientes disposiciones transitorias: “TRANSITORIO I- La Aresep tendrá un plazo no superior a seis meses, contado a partir de la publicación de la presente ley, para aprobar y tener vigente las tarifas correspondientes a servicios auxiliares. TRANSITORIO II- La Aresep tendrá un plazo no superior a doce meses, contado a partir de la publicación de la presente ley, para fijar las tarifas y los instrumentos regulatorios que sean necesarios para la adecuada integración de los recursos energéticos distribuidos que se interconecten a las redes del SEN”.
Sin embargo, reclaman que pese a que el plazo señalado ha sido superado la autoridad recurrida no ha dictado las tarifas y regulaciones para el intercambio de servicios auxiliares. Considera que lo anterior provoca una restricción o barrera de entrada al mercado lo que vulnera sus derechos fundamentales. Solicitan la intervención de la Sala.
Al respecto, del análisis del informe rendido bajo juramento por parte de la autoridad recurrida -con las consecuencias, incluso penales, que prevé el numeral 44 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional- se desprende que la ley nro. 10086 representa un cambio de paradigma en la arquitectura del Sistema Eléctrico Nacional, por tal razón su implementación exige que la ARESEP un ejercicio de ponderación técnica y jurídica. En ese sentido, dicha normativa contiene las siguientes disposiciones transitorias -reclamadas por los recurrentes-:
“TRANSITORIO I- La Aresep tendrá un plazo no superior a seis meses, contado a partir de la publicación de la presente ley, para aprobar y tener vigente las tarifas correspondientes a servicios auxiliares.
TRANSITORIO II- La Aresep tendrá un plazo no superior a doce meses, contado a partir de la publicación de la presente ley, para fijar las tarifas y los instrumentos regulatorios que sean necesarios para la adecuada integración de los recursos energéticos distribuidos que se interconecten a las redes del SEN”.
Sin embargo, a pesar de que los plazos señalados en las disposiciones transitorias han sido sobradamente superados, las tarifas y los instrumentos regulatorios para la adecuada integración de los recursos energéticos distribuidos que se interconecten a las redes del Sistema Eléctrico Nacional se encuentran pendientes de elaboración por parte de la ARESEP.
Ahora bien, en el presente caso, los recurrentes alegan una afectación ante la omisión por parte de la ARESEP en cumplir con las disposiciones transitorias. Exponen que son presidentes y representantes legales de las siguientes sociedades: Materiales Electromecánicos Padilla S. A., Alquiler de Equipo para la Construcción Alco S. A. y Hidromundo Tecnológico Sociedad S. A. Fundamentan la interposición de este recurso de amparo en que la ley nro. 10086 se trata de una disposición legal que desarrolla el artículo 50 de la Constitución Política, dirigiéndose al estímulo de la producción de energía eléctrica, como un medio para el aumento del potencial económico del país. Explican que se busca integrar las capacidades económicas y empresariales del sector privados, en dirección hacia el objetivo de creación de bienestar para la colectividad, por lo que se está ante la figura de la actividad de fomento del Estado dirigida a estimular la iniciativa de los particulares para obtener mínimos de seguridad jurídica y económica. Por lo anterior, son enfáticos en reclamar que ante la omisión de la ARESEP se les impide tomar decisiones en materia de la producción y prestación de ese objeto, siendo total la incertidumbre económica y la parálisis empresarial. Expresamente indican:
“Sin fijación de tarifa no puede operar el mercado y sin regulación no pueden pactarse transacciones, por dos motivos fundamentales: A. Porque de acuerdo con el texto de la ley, la relación contractual aplicable a la negociación de servicios auxiliares se ejecuta por medio del contrato de compraventa y para que este se perfeccione es necesario que las partes convengan en cosa y precio, tal como lo exige el artículo 1049 del Código Civil. B. Porque cualquier compraventa de servicios auxiliares que se ejecute con precio diverso al fijado o autorizado por la ARESEP, expone a los contratantes a una multa en los términos del artículo 38 de la Ley número 7593; o sea los particulares incurrirían en una conducta ilegítima”.
En virtud de lo expuesto, los recurrentes exponen que la omisión del ARESEP en cumplir las disposiciones establecidas en la ley nro. 10086 lesiona los artículos 46 y 50 constitucionales, en detrimento del desarrollo de las empresas que pretenden dedicarse a la producción de recursos energéticos distribuidos basados en fuentes de energía renovables y de la tutela del ambiente.
El artículo 49 párrafo segundo de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional permite analizar por la vía del amparo la omisión del Poder Ejecutivo de reglamentar o hacer cumplir lo dispuesto por una norma, cuando dicha inactividad guarde relación con la tutela de un derecho fundamental. De ahí que resulta pertinente el análisis de fondo en esta vía (ver en ese sentido la sentencia nro. 2026-011637 de las 13:05 horas del 27 de marzo de 2026).
Así las cosas, si bien del análisis del informe de la autoridad recurrida se observan las distintas acciones que se han ejecutado por parte del ARESEP para dar cumplimiento a las disposiciones transitorias de la ley nro. 10086, no menos cierto es que ha transcurrido un plazo desproporcionado, con el agravante de que persiste la incertidumbre y la inseguridad alegada por los recurrentes. Tómese en cuenta que desde el 7 de julio de 2022 venció el plazo señalado en el transitorio I y desde el 7 de enero de 2023 venció el plazo dispuesto en el transitorio II. Por tal razón, se advierte una inactividad susceptible de control jurisdiccional por la vía del amparo, conforme a lo dispuesto en el párrafo segundo del artículo 49 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, en tanto persiste un incumplimiento parcial del mandato legislativo contenido en la ley nro. 10086. Nótese que, esta normativa se encuentra dirigida a promover la incorporación progresiva de recursos energéticos distribuidos basados en fuentes renovables, bajo condiciones de integración eficiente, segura y sostenible dentro del Sistema Eléctrico Nacional, mediante la creación de instrumentos regulatorios y tarifarios destinados a viabilizar el acceso, instalación, conexión, interacción y control de este tipo de tecnologías.
Bajo esa lógica, la ausencia de una implementación integral y oportuna de los mecanismos regulatorios previstos en la ley trasciende el ámbito estrictamente técnico o tarifario, pues incide directamente sobre la eficacia del modelo normativo diseñado por el legislador para favorecer esquemas de generación eléctrica ambientalmente sostenibles. Precisamente en materia ambiental, el Estado no solo se encuentra obligado a reaccionar frente a daños ya consumados, sino también a desplegar actuaciones oportunas y eficaces orientadas a evitar, reducir o controlar riesgos de afectación, conforme a los principios preventivo y precautorio que informan el contenido del artículo 50 de la Constitución Política. Dichos principios imponen a los poderes públicos deberes de actuación anticipada frente a escenarios en los cuales la ausencia o postergación de medidas estatales puede comprometer la consolidación de mecanismos dirigidos a favorecer modelos de desarrollo ambientalmente sostenibles, como ocurre en el presente asunto con la implementación del régimen normativo orientado a promover la integración de recursos energéticos distribuidos basados en fuentes renovables.
Desde esa perspectiva, la implementación efectiva del régimen previsto en la ley nro. 10086 constituye una herramienta orientada a fortalecer procesos de transición energética, descarbonización, diversificación de fuentes renovables y aprovechamiento racional de recursos energéticos, de manera que una postergación indefinida de los instrumentos tarifarios y regulatorios necesarios para su operatividad termina debilitando la eficacia de mecanismos legislativos creados precisamente para avanzar hacia modelos energéticos compatibles con sostenibilidad ambiental. Tal situación, además, genera incertidumbre respecto de las condiciones bajo las cuales los distintos actores económicos pueden desarrollar actividades vinculadas con generación distribuida renovable, con incidencia también sobre la libertad de empresa y comercio.
Finalmente, respecto de las dificultades referidas por el regulador, llevan razón los recurrentes al manifestar que la ARESEP ostenta potestades para obligar a las entidades reguladas a suministrar información oportuna, tal como lo establece el artículo 24 de la ARESEP:
“Artículo 24.- Suministro de información A solicitud de la Autoridad Reguladora, las entidades reguladas suministrarán informes, reportes, datos, copias de archivos y cualquier otro medio electrónico o escrito donde se almacene información financiera, contable, económica, estadística y técnica relacionada con la prestación del servicio público que brindan. Para el cumplimiento exclusivo de sus funciones, la Autoridad Reguladora tendrá la potestad de inspeccionar y registrar los libros legales y contables, comprobantes, informes, equipos y las instalaciones de los prestadores”.
De la lectura de la norma transcrita se desprende que la ARESEP tiene las suficientes potestades para requerir e inspeccionar la información necesaria con el fin de emitir cualquier reglamento técnico.
En consecuencia, se declara con lugar el recurso con las consecuencias que se indican en la parte dispositiva de este pronunciamiento.
IV.Voto salvado del magistrado Rueda Leal. Visto que de la lectura del escrito de interposición se desprende que el recurso de amparo es interpuesto por los presidentes y representantes legales de Materiales Electromecánicos Padilla S. A., Alquiler de Equipo para la Construcción Alco S. A. e Hidromundo Tecnológico S. A., y no se infiere del desarrollo argumentativo que se dé una lesión a una persona física en concreto, sostengo que este asunto se debe rechazar de plano, por cuanto la parte accionante plantea el recurso de amparo a favor de personas jurídicas. De importancia para el sub examine, en el voto salvado que consigné en la sentencia nro. 2019002355 de las 9:30 horas de 12 de febrero de 2019 sostuve:
“en la Opinión Consultiva 22-16 del 26 de febrero de 2016, la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos indicó que si bien algunos Estados reconocen el derecho de petición a personas jurídicas con condiciones especiales, como lo son los sindicatos, partidos políticos o representantes de pueblos indígenas, comunidades afrodescendientes o grupos específicos, lo cierto es que “El artículo 1.2 de la Convención Americana sólo consagra derechos a favor de personas físicas, por lo que las personas jurídicas no son titulares de los derechos consagrados en dicho tratado”. Por otro lado, en la misma opinión consultiva, la Corte Interamericana dispuso que, en ciertos contextos particulares, las personas físicas pueden llegar a ejercer sus derechos a través de personas jurídicas (verbigracia, a través de un medio de comunicación, como acaeció en el caso Granier y otros contra Venezuela); empero, a efectos de que ello sea tutelable ante el sistema interamericano, “el ejercicio del derecho a través de una persona jurídica debe involucrar una relación esencial y directa entre la persona natural que requiere protección por parte del sistema interamericano y la persona jurídica a través de la cual se produjo la violación, por cuanto no es suficiente con un simple vínculo entre ambas personas para concluir que efectivamente se están protegiendo los derechos de personas físicas y no de las personas jurídicas.
En efecto, se debe probar más allá de la simple participación de la persona natural en las actividades propias de la persona jurídica, de forma que dicha participación se relacione de manera sustancial con los derechos alegados como vulnerados.” (énfasis agregado) (OC. 22/16)”.
En mi criterio, la lectura de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional obliga a la misma ratio de la hermenéutica convencional supracitada respecto a todo derecho fundamental. Así, en un proceso de constitucionalidad formulado a favor de una persona jurídica, su admisión para estudio exige una relación esencial y directa entre la persona jurídica que aduce verse afectada por alguna vulneración al orden constitucional y la persona natural que por tal lesión viene a ver menoscabado, de forma refleja pero directa, algún derecho fundamental. Ahora, para tales efectos es insuficiente la mera referencia a una conexión o vínculo entre la persona jurídica y la natural para poder colegir que, precisamente, por medio del proceso de constitucionalidad se esté procurando el resguardo de los derechos fundamentales de la última, no meramente los de la primera. El requerimiento antedicho deviene entonces un presupuesto sine qua non para la procedencia del control de constitucionalidad por parte de esta jurisdicción.
A partir de lo expuesto, colijo que esta debe ser la pauta con que se debe interpretar la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, de manera que en el sub iudice deviene improcedente la aplicación del control jurisdiccional de constitucionalidad, puesto que, con base en la prueba que consta en autos, no se ha demostrado el vínculo esencial entre las personas jurídicas amparadas y alguna natural en concreto que de manera específica y directa también se vea afectada por el derecho fundamental que se aduce lesionado.
V.Documentación aportada al expediente. Se previene a la parte recurrente que de haber aportado algún documento en papel, así como objetos o pruebas contenidas en algún dispositivo adicional de carácter electrónico, informático, magnético, óptico, telemático o producido por nuevas tecnologías, éstos deberán ser retirados del despacho en un plazo máximo de 30 días hábiles contados a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia. De lo contrario, será destruido todo aquel material que no sea retirado dentro de este plazo, según lo dispuesto en el "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial", aprobado por la Corte Plena en sesión N° 27-11 del 22 de agosto del 2011, artículo XXVI y publicado en el Boletín Judicial número 19 del 26 de enero del 2012, así como en el acuerdo aprobado por el Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, en la sesión N° 43-12 celebrada el 3 de mayo del 2012, artículo LXXXI.
Por tanto:
Se declara con lugar el recurso. Se ordena a Erick Bogantes Cabezas, en su condición de regulador general de la Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos, o a quien ejerza ese cargo, coordinar y disponer todas las actuaciones que se encuentren dentro del ámbito de sus competencias, a fin de que se emita las tarifas correspondientes a servicios auxiliares, las tarifas y los instrumentos regulatorios que sean necesarios para la adecuada integración de los recursos energéticos distribuidos que se interconecten a las redes del Sistema Eléctrico Nacional, de conformidad con las disposiciones transitorias de la ley nro. 10086, denominada “Ley de Promoción y Regulación de Recursos Energéticos Distribuidos a partir de Fuentes Renovables”, dentro del plazo de DOS MESES, contado a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia. Se advierte al recurrido, o a quien ocupe ese cargo, que, de conformidad con lo establecido por el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años o de veinte a sesenta días multa a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada dentro de un recurso de amparo, y no la cumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado.
Se condena al Estado al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirven de base a la presente declaratoria, los cuales se liquidarán en el proceso de ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso administrativo. El magistrado Rueda Leal salva el voto y rechaza de plano el recurso. Notifíquese.
Fernando Castillo V.
Fernando Cruz C.
Paul Rueda L.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Anamari Garro V.
Ingrid Hess H.
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