Pilot Plant Bio Diesel in the DR

[Collingwood]

The DR News yesterday on DR1 contained the following reference regarding a Columbian built Pilot Plant - Bio Diesel to be funded with IDB funds.

Hoy is also reporting that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved the installation of a Colombian built pilot bio-diesel plant in the DR. The plant could be running by 2009 and will produce 10,000 liters per day.

Does anyone have any further info on this project. Sounds like a great idea. Any project that will promote an alternative source of (home grown) fuel will add to the DR's energy security in the long run as well as reduce reliance on fossil based fuel. I wonder what the proposed feedstock will be for this Pilot Plant?

[Collingwood]

Come on DR1

There is not much going on in the DR that escapes the notice of the members of this Forum?

No knowledge of this Bio Diesel Pilot Plant - any one?

Shocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Keith R]

I had not heard of this particular project, and I can find no record of it in IDB public records. So I'm wondering if Hoy got the story wrong (wouldn't be the first time!). Perhaps it is being funded by another source. Also have to wonder why it is the Colombians building the plant -- their main work on biofuels has involved palm oil.

[Collingwood]

Hi KeithR,
I also checked the IDB web site and found no reference either? My Spanish is not good enough to communicate with Hoy to ask for clarification.

Anyone have a contact at Hoy?

[Lambada]

The Hoy article said the funds had been approved, not that the project had started 'Además el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo aprobó los fondos para la instalación de una planta piloto de biodiesel de tecnología colombiana en República Dominicana, que entraría en funcionamiento en el 2009, con una capacidad de 10,000 litros/día, y trabajaría con palma, jatropa, soya, higuerilla u otra oleaginosa, dependiendo de la elección.'

This gives you the proposed feedstock, collingwood.

I can believe funds have been sought - the Government are good at that. Whether any project will start..........well, who knows?
Colombia aprueba créditos a RD por más de 100 millones de dólares - Hoy Digital

[carl.r]

the plant wont be running by 2009, ive been involved in an installation in the uk

[Coco Cabanas Beach Club]

I heard that a Belgian cook(???) living near Gaspar Hernandez has recently completed the "largest ever land deal in the Dominican Republic's history" to cultivate the crop necessary for the production of Bio Diesel fuel. He intends to manage the project himself, utilizing the skills he acquired in his kitchen, no doubt. Apparently, 1,000's of workers are to be relocated from the North Coast to Asua, in order to clear the millions of acres of land involved in this project. His partner, (an air steward by profession) is the Project & IT Manager.

Could this be the same project the subject of this thread, or is it a joke?

[Keith R]

Originally Posted by Lambada

The Hoy article said the funds had been approved, not that the project had started 'Además el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo aprobó los fondos para la instalación de una planta piloto de biodiesel de tecnología colombiana en República Dominicana, que entraría en funcionamiento en el 2009, con una capacidad de 10,000 litros/día, y trabajaría con palma, jatropa, soya, higuerilla u otra oleaginosa, dependiendo de la elección.'

I know that's what Hoy claims, but there's not a word of it on the IDB site, so I find the Hoy account questionable. These days IDB publishes online the basics of every project being prepared and details on every one approved, as well as the agendas and minutes of all board meetings considering loans for approvals. I checked all agendas back to September, and no such loan for the DR was scheduled for board approval. So either Hoy put the wrong lender, or it's not actually been approved by IDB yet, or IDB has switched to secret loans...

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by Keith R

So either Hoy put the wrong lender, or it's not actually been approved by IDB yet, or IDB has switched to secret loans...

If I was to stab a guess I'd say the lender would be Banco Colombiano de Exportación (BANCOLDEX) because I think they're the bank footing the other loans. Or what Hoy really meant was IDB is lending TO Colombia.............