Utility chief rebuffs ‘interests’ criticism of US$2.0B coal plants

Santo Domingo.- State-owned Electric Utility (CDEEE) CEO Ruben Jimenez Bichara on Thursday rebuffed the criticism that the two coal plants the government builds at a cost of US$2.0 billion is a “historical mistake” as energy expert Jose Luis Cordeiro claimed at the American Chamber of Commerce (AmchamDR) on Wednesday.

Jimenez said if the coal plants weren’t feasible, international agencies wouldn’t approve funds, and much less in record time because, in his view, the negotiation is at an "excellent" stage.

"You think that companies such as BNP Paribas, the National Bank of Paris, the New York subsidiary which came here, would evaluate a project and describe it as excellent if it weren’t feasible in economic terms," the official said.

Jimenez, speaking in the Z-101FM morning radio program, said the criticism to the coal plants is from interests he affirms seek to keep the Dominican Republic from getting funding to conclude the work.