The Karadeniz power barge that would provide energy for the national power grid has arrived and is docked off the Malecón in the National District coastal waters. The ship operators await the Ministry of Environment permits to connect to the electricity grid. Diario Libre reports two permits are pending – the power plant operation permit and the final concession permit.
The Turkish company says it has a contract to operate from Puerto Viejo Port in southcentral Azua.
Environmentalists and civic groups in Azua oppose the installation of the barge at the chosen site will damage the environment and affect present and future tourism, fishing and farming activities in the province.
There is concern the barge will affect the underwater life and the beaches in the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Manglares de Puerto Viejo. Environmentalists say the Puerto Viejo Port is located in a buffer zone to the protected area and would affect the mangroves, and several species, such as the manatees.
Diario Libre reports that the site was discarded earlier as a site for the operation of an electricity barge. A decade ago the Canadian firm, Rescan carried out a study commissioned by Barrick Gold to look into environmental issues for the operation of an electricity barge for the mining operation. The study provided evidence the operation would be damaging to the manatees that live in the area, among other issues, and the site was discarded by the mining company.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
9 November 2022