Dominican Republic’s yearned energy pact talks finally announced

Santo Domingo.- Endingmonths of expectation and speculation, the head of Dominican Republic’s State-ownedelectric utility (CDEEE) on Friday said everything’s ready to start the talksleading to a national pact on energy, during a formal ceremony next Monday.

Ruben Jimenez Bicharasaid consultations are being conducted and a document prepared with the termsof procedure, and stressed the agreement’s fundamental importance on thecoal-fired plants because their construction will conclude sooner.

He placed the currentcost of the coal plant project’s at US$600 million.

When asked if thesavings from the falling oil prices should be applied to the electricity bill, JimenezBichara said the CDEEE favors procedures to reflect the ups and downs on crude,but noted that it’s an issue for the Electricity Superintendence.