The government is investing in projects to produce energy, improve transmission lines and expand the electricity service for RD$4,664.8 million, El Siglo reports. The Dominican electrical authority (CDE) is developing new transmission lines and substations, installing 163 new megawatts in hydroelectric projects, and has approved 65 rural electrification projects for RD$60 million. It will also install new public lighting systems, according to the report in the newspaper. At the same time, the government is holding talks with the generators and distributors. El Siglo reports the goal is that by 31 May 2002, some 1,093 new megawatts go on line, with completed private and public projects accounting for RD$21,436 million investment. CDE is also installing a new management and informatics system SAP/R-3 at a cost of RD$38 million to make the entity more efficient. Some US$1,000 million is being invested in production projects to generate 930 megawatts in thermoelectric plants and 163 megawatts in hydroelectric plants. These include Cogentrix (300 megawatts), Barahona (50 megawatts), Itabo conversion to charcoal (250 megawatts), San Pedro de Macoris barge (150 megawatts), Puerto Plata barge (180 megawatts), Moncion Dam (50 megawatts), Los Toros dam (9 megawatts), rehab of Valdesia Dam (54 megawatts), Jiguey Dam (49 megawatts), construction of Yuboa hydroelectric central (0.54 megawatts). RD$4,664.8 million (US$280 million) are also being invested in construction of 1,226.3 kilometers of 138 kilovolt transmission lines, 447.6 kilometers of 69 kilovolt transmission lines, a 1,213 megawatt substation and another of 266 megawatts. RD$60 million is being invested in 65 rural electrification projects in 27 provinces.
