Local October 9, 2012 | 7:44 am

Dominican electric utility halts questioned bidding

Santo Domingo.-The State-owned Electric Utility (CDEEE) suspended a call for tenders to install up to 1,000 megawatts, where six companies prequalified, noting that “the new authorities need sufficient time to know and adequately assess relevant processes for the country, such as the tender."

The announcement comes in the heels of weeks of questioning to the CDEEE’s previous management, on its apparent rush to sign energy contracts during the transition period between ex president Leonel Fernandez and president Danilo Medina.

The process began December 2011 and in April this year the CDEEE announced the prequalified companies; Emce Caribbeans, Inkia Energy Limited, the generating company Haina (EGE Haina), Korea East West Power Company and EC La Altagracia.

Visit to Brazil

The continuity of the call for tenders for the 1,000 MW, with possible expansion to 1,500 megawatts, began to be questioned since the transition, because during a visit to Brazil July by then President-elect Danilo Medina, he announced that Brazilian companies would build power plants.

At that time, in a press release by Medina’s team it was reported the installation of two plants of 300 megawatts each, prompting rebuke among the bidding companies.