September 14, 2010
Puerto Rican firms to build biofuel plant
The Electric Power Authority (AEE) and Bio-LÃpidos have a US$10-million investment plan to build a biofuel plant from tropical marine microalgae.
According to Miguel Cordero, executive director of the AEE, the factory will give a "solution for future problems in Puerto Rico. The goal is to produce fuel to generate energy in Puerto Rico. We have the knowledge and skills, but previously lacked the desire to do so."
The plant will be built in an area roughly eight million square metres in size, to be located in Dorado and Toa Baja, on the north coast of the country. Cordero expects that the new facility will produce around six million litres of fuel during its first year of activity.
In addition, they hope that the dried bodies of the algae will be used as animal feed, as part of a project to raise organic tilapia and shrimp. Jorge Gaskins, CEO of Bio-Lipid, noted that marine microalgae can produce a clean, biodegradable fuel which cannot explode.
According to the volunteer community leader and promoter of the project, Rosa Hilda Ramos, this proposal is "the best long-term" solution to produce energy in the country.
"The money raised stays here," she added. She also said that it will generate employment and clarified that the construction of the plant will take "no ground" from the Puerto Ricans.
AEE spokesman, Carlos Monroig, said that "the goal is to develop renewable sources which create natural fuel, which is able to be produced in Puerto Rico.
