Deputies approve US$600.0M bond to finish coal-fired plant

Santo Domingo.- The Chamber of Deputies onTuesday approved a US$600.0 million bond of public debt to build the coal-firedpower plant Punta Catalina, Baní (south).

The Senate had already approved the piece afterthe Executive Branch requested a change of financing, as the disbursements werehalted by the original financier, Brazil’s State-owned BNDES bank.

President Danilo Medina asked Congress’ authorizationto issue for US$656.0 million bond to conclude the two plants, which willgenerate 700 megawatts.

The deputies present 118 voted for and oneagainst the bond, whereas those of the opposition parties PRM and PRSC abstained.

Medina is expected to sign the bond issue into law.