Cuba helps covert thermo park to use crude

Experts from Cuba's state energy company Ingenieria Electrica de Cuba (IEC) are in Ecuador helping to covert the country's thermoelectric power plants to use crude oil instead of refined fuels to reduce costs, according to local press. Ecuador wants to covert 40% of its thermo plants to use crude oil over the next three years, Conelec vice-president Robert Pinzon said. The overhaul is part of a technical agreement signed between the two countries. "We're aiming for US$0.7/kWh. In Cuba, the cost was reaching US$0.16/kWh and now, with this system, it is kept below US$0.5/kWh," Pinzon said. Cuba has installed capacity of 3,500MW, of which 98% is thermoelectric while Ecuador has 3,600MW installed capacity, of which 40% is thermoelectric and 60% is hydroelectric. Meanwhile, electric power prices for end consumers rose once again from September 1 as the government strives to raise prices to about US$0.1038/kWh, according to local press. Conelec authorized the monthly rates hikes in early January and is expected to review them again in October. The target price could fall as interconnection with Colombia is providing cheaper power, the papers said.