The world’s largest electricity barge will arrive in August. Edwin Croes, economic and financial advisor to the Dominican Electricity Corporation (CDE), predicts that it will reduce the cost of producing power in the DR by 50%. The 150 megawatt floating barge was purchased by Ege Haina at a cost of US$140 million and will arrive from Singapore. Croes explained that the fuel oil-powered generator will produce power at 5-7 cents per kilowatt, much less than the 9-13 cents of several diesel-powered generators in operation today. The barge will be installed in San Pedro de Macoris. Croes said charcoal fueled plants are the cheapest to operate. He said that today the only charcoal plant in operation is Barahona I that contributes 45 megawatts. He said that Itabo I and II are converting to charcoal and the process will be completed in October. He said there are three more projects for the installation of charcoal fueled plants – one in Monte Rio, another by Ege Haina and another by Union Fenosa.
