Caribbean energy watch: Exploration, procurement, floating solar, biofuel

Melbana Energy reported that the Alameda-1 well pad (pictured) at onshore block 9 in Cuba is ready for the start of drilling operations.

"A tender for the construction of the well pad for the second well, Zapato-1, was subsequently finalised and construction operations projected to commence mid-May," the company said in an update.

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IDB has published a general procurement notice for goods, works, related services and consultancy services to be procured under the sustainable energy investment program (Smart Fund II) for Barbados.

The government has received loan financing of US$30mn from IDB and grant financing of 13.3mn euros (US$16mn) from the EU for the program.

Components include promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy in SMEs and the public sector and capacity building and institutional support, highlights the notice.

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IDB also placed technical cooperation in its lending pipeline to promote development of floating solar in Suriname by supporting the establishment of a strategic, policy and regulatory framework.

A specific objective would prepare a feasibility study to install such a system at the Afobaka hydroelectric dam.

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The Dominican Republic’s national energy commission CNE has recommended that the executive branch grant a 25-year definitive concession to Ridge Partners Línea Noroeste for the company’s waste-to-diesel biofuel project.

The plant would be built in the in the municipality of Laguna Salada, Valverde province and produce up to 1,950,354g/month of the synthetic fuel.