Coal news and updates

Dominican government shuns US gas-fired plants for coal ones

The US-based company Summit Power proposed the construction of two natural gas-fired power plants totaling 640 megawatts to the Dominican Government, becoming the second American firm to do so, after North Energy Central (NEC), whose project is also slated for Manzanillo, northwestern Montecristi province.

According to outlet hoy.com.do, Summit has yet to receive an official response, despite the time passed.

Citing energy sector sources on Sunday, the news outlet said the proposal has Washington’s support, after a decision repotedly communicated to Rubén Jiménez Bichara, CEO of the State-owned Electric Utility (CDEEE).

“The former head of the CDEEE, Celso Marranzini, called for tenders for 1,500 megawatts, 900-based on natural gas and 600 based on coal. 36 Companies participated but only 18 submitted proposals and of the 10 which qualified for the final round, one was American, Summit Power,” hoy.com.do reports, noting that the new Administration suspended the process and opened another, but for coal-fired plants.

The US firm meanwhile, “proposed the construction of two natural gas-fired plants to Mr. Danilo Medina’s Administration. This proposal includes the reconstruction of the port at Manzanillo, a natural terminal gas and a 345 KVA power line to Santiago,” the outlet said, adding that when Jimenez Bichara and another top official  went to Washington, they were received by the Secretary of Commerce also visited the State Department.

Source: www.dominicantoday.com