Electrostate II
2010-02-08
One of the big differences between the West and East has been
the legality of the corruption. In developed countries, much of
the major theft from the national budget is written straight into
the law books, making it perfectly legal. Czechs are quickly
learning how to do this too, and it's no coincidence that the
conditions for buying the output of solar parks are so generous.
It was planned this way so that those in the know could lock in
billions of crowns in profit before the general public even knew
what was going on. Now that the cat is out of the bag, the
conditions will be tightened, but of course not retroactively.
Early investors will be able to bask in the feeble sun for 20
years. Those with the best political connections or foresight will
be able to cash out early by selling their projects to ČEZ, which
can justify paying a premium as a way to meet its alternative-
energy requirements. The CR might have temperate continental
climate, but Czech taxpayers and consumers are going to get a
third-degree burn from solar power.
[Czech Republic electricity photovoltaics]
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