New government will not refer to modernize refinery to assess energy matrix

April 21st, 2014.

Before turning to the possible modernization of the refinery in Limon, the next government will sit to review the country’s energy mix and will meet with the new authorities of the Costa Rican Oil Refinery (Recope) to assess the issue.

This is a priority issue for the incoming government and will be covered “very soon.” This was explained Edgar Gutiérrez- Espelette, who was appointed by President-elect Luis Guillermo Solís, as Environment Minister in his cabinet.

“The refinery beyond becoming an environmental issue is a country theme. Which will have to be defined in a broad and frank discussion with the new authorities in Recope and together with the president. This is a topic that is on the agenda and that is to cover ‘very soon’ and which will be released the country’s position “quoted Gutiérrez- Espelette.

Earlier this month reported that it maintained Recope plans to establish the new refinery project in China. Even in late February presented an alternative plan for the plant to continue operating and that they were viewed with suspicion by the current authorities of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Minae). Asked about the issue, Gutiérrez- Espeleta asked to wait the official position that the government will respect Solis.

“There is discussion of the refinery itself, is a whole discussion of what the strategic vision of the energy matrix… We must devote ourselves to the initial discussion of the energy matrix, obviously already the president said: we are on energy renewable, that is indisputable but we have to land it on specific issues, “said the future minister.

The current dome Recope considered appropriate that the production of diesel continue to perform in the coming years. They base their explanation that the country would need six years to produce biofuels needed to meet demand, that would result in 160 thousand hectares of land.

In turn, the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) rejected twice, the project with the Chinese company HQCEC. Even Recope has spent more than $ 34.6 million in studies to make the project viable, but still has not succeeded.

"Read more"