Whether it is just a case of the loser calling “foul” or a serious problem, the reality of the case is that the company that won the bidding to install the two coal-fired electricity generators is just a few months old, and has no history of ever constructing such a facility. One of the consortiums that bid in the tender, Sichuan Machinery Company and Emaca, C. x A., told Listin Diario reporters that Emirates Power DR, S.A. has “no history, even in the Dominican Republic, and can count on no certified backing from any multinational source related to the energy field.” The complaint was made in a letter to CDEEE executive vice-president Radhames Segura. Emirates has until 1:30am tomorrow morning to deposit a US$40 million bond. If Emirates does not fulfill its part of the contract, the CDEEE will keep the US$40 million.
Diario Libre says that the CDEEE never learns. The paper points out that the CDEEE has just announced that it will contract for 50% of the installed output of the two coal-fired plants that will be installed in Azua and Montecristi for the next 20 years. This will give Emirates Power DR privileges very similar to those enjoyed by Smith-Enron and Cogentrix in their contracts. In the original news stories about the tender, Emirates had proposed governmental purchases of just 30% of the output. According to the paper it is inexplicable that government should increase its obligations, especially in the face of the on-going problems with the other IPPs.