The Dominican Government announced The winners of the tender for the two natural gas electricity generating plants to be built in Manzanillo, province of Montecristi, which will cost some 1,700 million dollars.
During a press conference that took place In the Cariatides Hall, the Haina Investment Corporation was appointed for the construction of block 1 of the work, which consists of one of the 400-megawatt natural gas-based plants and the natural gas terminal. This would be the second of its kind in the country, and the first in the north.
Block two, which has the second 400-megawatt natural gas-fired plant, was assigned to the Manzanillo consortium Energy.
“Precisely, the Manzanillo tender is a historical example in the Dominican electricity sector in terms of foresight, transparency and planning; experience that will reverberate not only in the electrical field but also in the international community of investors and financing agencies”, he specified. President Luis Abinader, who led the the press conference and stressed that this work will be built entirely with capital from the private companies that won the tender and that the State will buy from them. The energy will be generated through the Edes.
Both blocks will have a construction duration of about 36 months, the equivalent of three years, and will generate electricity. More than 4,000 jobs for the residents of Manzanillo and surrounding areas.
When questioned about the continuity of the work that would end beyond After the end of his term in 2024, the president was emphatic in pointing out that he is not thinking of a “government management, if not a true national electricity plan”.
“We think about the statesmanship of whoever replaces us; We have continued with all the plans that have been made and I hope that the one who replaces us will do the same, because if they don’t do this, it will put a stop to it. The energy sustainability of the country is at risk, but I cannot guarantee anything. I believe that we have already accepted the necessary political maturity for this, in addition, this will not entail any type of expense for the State, “exclaimed the president. the President.
Energy investment
The president was pointed out. that “thanks to the transparent bidding process” the price of energy offered in block 1 is 8.84 cents of a dollar per KWh and in block 2 it was 5.82 cents of a dollar.
“These are lower values at the price at which Punta Catalina sells at the moment. With the method of competitive bidding, the country will be able to build its largest power plantof 800 megawatts, a gas terminal and with a much lower investment than the more than three billion consumed in Punta Catalina by a smaller plant and on account of the national budget and debts. In this scheme the State would not spend a single peso, it would only buy the energy produced by the plants”, exclaimed Abinader.
The head of state explained Between 2022 and 2026, some 2,000 megawatts will be installed in the national electricity system, which will be “enough” to supply the maximum annual demand and maintain a cold reserve of at least 15% of the maximum demand.
“For the first time in history, the Dominican government has a strategy solid energy, long-term and that will allow us to overcome the erratic policy of the past. This is a quantitative and qualitative change. This is the way to ensure solid, sustained growth with real well-being for the people. This is, without a doubt, a State policy and so on. we are working”, he added. the president.