Last Sunday, 14 March 2021, Energy Minister Antonio Almonte said the government would not receive the Punta Catalina Thermoelectric Central units from the Odebrecht-Technimont consortium. The power plant is the most-costly infrastructure built during the past administration.
From day one when the project was announced, the coal-fired thermoelectric central has been surrounded by an aura of corruption. State prosecutors are investigating the power plant deal.
A Duke University study on the toxicity of the ashes generated by the power plant is circulating. The ash is accumulating outside the power plant. Environmentalists seek to shut down the power plant due to the threat to public health and the environment.
Meanwhile, former administrator of the power plant, Jaime Aristy Escuder says the power plant problems are because the new authorities fired key technical personnel.
Unit No. 2 of the thermoelectric has been out of service since January 2021. Its guarantee expires on 24 April 2021.
Read more in Spanish:
El Dia
Diario Libre
Listin Diario
Punta Catalina
16 March 2021