|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food |
|
$1.4 billion hydroelectric plant in Costa Rica received Blue Planet Prize |
.... |
||
|
By the A.M. Costa
Rica staff
The International Hydroelectricity Association delivered the Blue Planet Prize 2019 to the Reventazón Hydroelectric Plant* of the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE). The recognition, received on Wednesday in Paris, highlights the good practices of sustainability in the process of construction of the plant, between the years 2010 to 2016. The Reventazón Hydroelectric Plant* was inaugurated on May 15, 2015. With an installed capacity of 305 megawatts of power, it can supply more than 500 thousand homes. It is the largest hydroelectric plant in the region and the second among the main infrastructure projects in Central America, after the Panama Canal. The total cost of the project was $ 1.4 billion financed in part by a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) of $ 250 million, and the rest with loans from the Inter-American Development Bank, the IDB Invest, the World Bank, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, the European Investment Bank, the National Bank, the Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Popular, and ICE resources all with a trust administered by Scotiabank de Costa Rica. In the framework of the World Hydroelectric Congress held this week in France, the IHA honored Reventazón and ICE "for identifying opportunities to improve social and environmental management, develop educational processes for those involved and implement measures to protect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as well as endangered species. " Irene Cañas, executive president of ICE, said that "we thank the International Hydroelectric Association for granting the Reventazón Project the Blue Planet Prize. This award demonstrates the expertise acquired in 70 years by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute in the development of sustainable hydroelectric projects, applying the best practices worldwide." The Blue Planet Prize recognizes the results obtained in the application of the Sustainability Assessment Protocol, developed in Costa Rica with the financial and technical support of the World Bank. In 2017, a technical team accredited by the IHA evaluated the Reventazón Project through field visits and interviews with communities and local leaders, with the active participation of ICE staff. Financial, technical, environmental and social aspects were evaluated. The results indicated that the ICE applied the best practices of the industry in the 19 evaluated subjects, and in five of those points, it developed the best international practices in the construction of hydroelectric plants: communication and consultations, public health, human resettlement, biodiversity and management of waste, noise and air quality. "The recognition ratifies that the execution of Reventazón was developed in a responsible and sustainable manner. We comply with the best international practices in each subject evaluated, from governance, constructive processes and financing, to sustainability, impact management, and community participation, among others. Highlighting it worldwide demonstrates the commitment and capacity of the Institution, as well as the integral vision of the interdisciplinary team that built this great work, which continues to fill us with pride," said Luis Roberto Rodríguez, director of the Reventazón Hydroelectric Project. To choose the Blue Planet Prize winner, the IHA Council, together with an international panel of experts, evaluated candidate projects from different continents. From that group, Reventazón obtained the highest ratings. Ruth Tiffer Sotomayor, a senior environmental specialist at the World Bank, said that "we are pleased to have supported Costa Rica in the first application of the Sustainability Assessment Protocol in Central America and the Caribbean. We hope that this award motivates ICE, other countries and companies from all regions to follow the best international practices in the construction and operation of hydroelectric plants, which the same Protocol recognizes, to reduce the impact on communities and the environment." Tiffer Sotomayor was also the manager of the technical assistance that allowed the application of the protocol in Reventazón. Richard Taylor, executive director of the IHA, said that "Reventazón demonstrated remarkable sustainability performance in a set of performance criteria, by meeting or exceeding international best practices in the 19 assessment points. Reventazón is worthy of the Blue Planet Prize 2019 and is an example of teamwork to achieve a common goal." ---------------- Should the
cost of electric service in Costa Rica
be lower as a result of the energy
produced by the hydroelectric
plants? We would like to
know your thoughts on this story. Send
your comments to: news@amcostarica.com
 |
 |
U.S. Tax
International
Plus Costa Rican taxes, accounting, and legal services. Over 16 years in Costa Rica  U.S. Income Tax Preparation Contact Us: U.S +786-206-9473 CR +506-2290-3060 or +506-6242-9879 E-mail: accounting1@ustaxinternational.com Web page: www.ustaxinternational.com Code:9398-xxx
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
 Booking.com |
