Santo Domingo.- The hydroelectric power company Egehid yesterday inaugurated the Las Barias generation plant on the Nizao river, which can permanently generate 850 kilowatts daily, equal to the consumption of 450 homes and 6 million kilowatts annually, said Hydroelectric mini-power project director Teófilo Pacheco.

Egehid administrator Rafael Suero said the plant’s entry will increase the region’s generation from the current 4,160 volts, to 12,500 volts “and bolster the quality of energy at the zonal level."

The plant cost US$9.4 million to build, an investment expected to be recovered within 10 years.

Suero said the reconstruction and elevation of the retaining wall to channel the waters would also prevent flooding in the communities Semana Santa and Boca de Mana.

He also announced for 2012 the construction of hydroelectric dams on the Artibonito and Manabao rivers, but didn’t specify if the latter is the resumption of the Manabao-Bejucal-Tavera project, squashed by Jarabacoa residents when it was learned that the Yaque North river would be diverted away from that tourist city.