Ruben Jimenez Bichara, executive vice president of the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), has announced the construction of a 640-megawatt combined cycle gas-fired plant in Manzanillo, in the northwest of the country. The plant could enter into operation in three years. Jimenez Bichara made the announcement at the American Chamber of Commerce luncheon yesterday, Wednesday 20 March, saying that the new plant would be crucial for reducing generation costs.
He also announced the installation of 1,500 megawatts of coal and natural gas-fired power, with public, private and mixed investment with an additional investment of US$3.6 billion.
He said the government would back private company investment in power generation and that the public sector is not interested in operating the plants.
Jimenez Bichara said that the government seeks to reduce the deficit of the electricity sector that is US$1.2 n US$1.5 billion a year. He said the proposed solutions would reduce the deficit to US$830 and US$1.05 billion. By 2016, the change over from petroleum-based fuels would reduce the deficit to US$600 and US$800 million, and losses to US$190 and US$200 million.
www.hoy.com.do/economia/2013/3/20/472262/Anuncia-construiran-planta-de-gas640-megavatios