Roundup: Argentine call, Belize rates, Bolivian subsidies, DR efficiency

A call for bids to build Argentine transmission project La Paz-Federal-Los Conquistadores is expected in the second half of this year, province Entre Ríos reported. IDB will finance the 132kv, 540-day project that includes a 140km line and two transformer stations.

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Belize Electricity (BEL) submitted an application to the public utilities commission under the annual tariff review proceeding for the period July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.

The utility requested a reduction in the mean electricity rate to 0.43 Belizean dollars (US$0.22)/kWh from 0.4465 Belizean dollars.

"Rainfall levels experienced during 2013 in both Belize and Mexico resulted in a significant reduction in the cost of power. From July 2013 through to the end of 2014, the reduction is expected to be greater than anticipated, due to expected high rainfall levels," BEL said in a statement.

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Bolivia's government approved a supreme decree to continue power rates subsidy "Tarifa Dignidad," which benefits low-income residents that consume up to 70kVh/month with a 25% discount.

A first stage from April 2006 to March 2010 benefited 663,863 users with savings of 171mn bolivianos (US$25mn) and a second stage through March 2014 benefited 929,932 users with savings of 420mn bolivianos.

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And the Dominican Republic's national energy commission CNE and the Japan International Cooperation Agency signed a letter of intent for an energy efficiency technical assistance project.

The 1.6-year initiative is expected to begin in June and aims to advance a related bill in congress, among other actions, CNE said in a statement.