The general administrator of the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company (Egehid), Rafael Salazar, revealed that the construction of the Las Placetas hydroelectric complex has an investment of around 750 to 850 million dollars.
When interviewed on the television program Despierta con CDN, he explained that the project began in 2007 and was paralyzed in 2009 and that at that time, the government invested 71 million dollars.
“We found that tender contract, we have worked on that, that project at this time involves an investment of around 750 to 850 million dollars,” he said.
Salazar specified that the project will be developed through a public-private alliance.
He said that the construction of the Las Placetas hydroelectric complex is the most important clean energy generation project in the Caribbean region, which will produce 204 megabytes, that is, a third of the country’s installed capacity.
The official specified that this initiative will save foreign currency for the country and will generate jobs in the area where it will be installed.
“In the Las Placetas project we articulate that water is a positive factor for the area,” said Salazar.
He affirmed that the regulation of water for irrigation, energy and flood control projects is fundamental for the development of a country.
He specified that all the observations of the people who oppose the project have been heard and at the same time explained its facets.
“This type of project always has people with some level of opposition and that is normal. We listen to him and invite him to know the project and that has made many when they know the project change their opinion,” he explained when asked about the opposition from the Ecological Society of Cibao.
Artificial flows
Soeci assures that the construction would modify the local microclimatic characteristics, create artificial flows and dead channels due to the disappearance of water from the Bao and Jagua rivers in some of their sections, breaking natural flows and connectivity between ecosystems.
He argued that the project involves the Presidency of the Republic, the National Institute of Potable Water and Sewers (INAPA), the Santiago Aqueduct and Sewerage Corporation (CORAASAN) and the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), among other institutions.
Monte Grande will impact the entire country
The general administrator of Egehid, indicated that Hidroeléctrica Dominicana is producing between 7 and 10% of clean energy and the goal is to increase between 25 and 30% from 2022. He clarified that there has never been an intention to privatize Egehid. Regarding the Monte Grande dam, he stated that the work will be very impressive. “We are now entering the Monte Grande dam with the construction of the generator and power production,” said Salazar.
