The Inter-American Development Bank is donating US$400,000 worth in three studies to establish the potential of geothermal, biomass and small hydropower plants, announced the Minister of Energy and Mines Antonio Isa Conde. The research is aimed at helping the Ministry to improve the way it organizes renewable energy in the country.
The IDB, through its Multi-Donor Fund for Energy and Climate Change agreed to a technical cooperation grant for US$400,000. The funds will be used to identify geothermal potential, biomass briquette production and installation of small hydroelectric plants.
As reported, the logistical support will be provided by the MEM and consultants hired by the IDB.
The first study will serve as a basis for developing geothermal projects in mountainous areas, where the costs of generation and distribution of conventional energy are very high.
Approximately 13% of Dominican households still use firewood and charcoal for cooking, a figure that reaches 80% in Haiti. This demonstrates the importance of identifying biomass production potential in the border area, which would protect the environment by preventing hundreds of trees from being cut down to produce charcoal.
As for small-scale hydroelectric projects, the aim is to set up a database with the location and distribution of potential hydroelectric plants for electricity generation as a guide for future investments in hydroelectric generation.
Antonio Isa Conde said the Ministry has also been leading initiatives for solving existing problems with permits and access to financing renewable energy projects.
http://www.mem.gob.do/index.php/noticias/item/isa-conde-hay-que-organizar-el-desarrollo-de-las-energias-renovables
