*3.4. Impact on Solar Curtailment Rate*

As a consequence of the optimization that reduced the coal capacity and complementing solar power with a more flexible generator in the form of LNG, the curtailment was reduced to varying degrees. Figure 15 shows the range of curtailment rates based on the yearly variations and annual LNG quotas. Increasing the LNG quota from 12 TWh to 24 TWh, which in turn decreases the coal capacity, could reduce curtailment from 14% down to 3% in the worst-case scenario for the 10 GW installed solar capacity. Beyond the 28 TWh LNG quota, there are minor changes in the curtailment reduction. However, it could also be noted that the 20 TWh LNG quota can reduce the curtailment from 14% down to 3%. The curtailment reduction becomes more evident as the solar capacity increases.

However, beyond 16 GW installed capacity, even with sufficient complementary LNG, solar curtailment will always be greater than 10% at best and 30% at worst.

**Figure 15.** Projected curtailment rates assuming the optimal coal capacity was followed, with the corresponding annual LNG quotas.
