Dominican Republic - Spanish firm to install first wind energy plant

The government granted the Spanish Generacion Eolica Internacional (GEI, International Aeolian Generation) a contract to install in the country the first plant to use the wind as energy source, which is projected to give 50 megawatts in the locality of Matafongo, Bani during an initial phase, at a cost of US$120 millions.

The second stage, to be constructed in Montecristi, also will be capable of producing 50 megawatts, for a total generation of 100 megawatts. The contract was signed by the executive director of the National Energy Commission, Ruben Montas, and Ernesto Oliver Gomez for GEI. Montas and Radames Segura, vice-president of the Dominican Energy Consortium both coincided in that the installation of this type of energy plant sparks a revolution with the advantage the operational costs are lower, because power is generated without the need for fuel.

The Spanish company is committed before the Dominican government to conclude building the project in a 24-month term. Gomez affirmed that the plant in Bani will be ready in 14 months and that construction in Monte Cristi will finalize in 18 months. Gomez added that his firm had undertaken studies of wind intensity in the country during a 3-year period. The contract authorizes GEI to construct, install, operate and exploit on its own account, in both profits and risks.