Displaying items by tag: Costa Rica

This week Beijing announced that it would close the last of its four largest coal-fired power plants, the China Huaneng Group Corp's 845MW power plant, in 2016. The four coal-fired plants will be replaced by four gas-fired plants with 2.6 times more electricity capacity than the former coal plants. China's policy makers are also encouraging increased use of hydroelectric power, solar and wind and is trying to restart its nuclear power programme.

In the same week, the Independent reported that Costa Rica had achieved a renewable energy milestone, having used 100% renewable energy for the preceding 75 days. The achievement was reportedly made possible by heavy rainfall, which powered four hydroelectric plants. Costa Rica has an impressive track record when it comes to energy sources. In 2014, 80% of its energy came from hydropower and 10% came from geothermal energy. In total, 94% of its energy requirements were met by renewable energy.

However, this week we also heard that Dangote is building the world's biggest oil refinery, which will process 650,000b/day. It will also be Nigeria's first oil refinery. Aliko Dangote, owner of Dangote Group, decided to up the initial design from 450,000b/day because he believes that Nigeria, as a leading producer of crude oil, should also be credited with local refining capacity. Currently, Nigeria produces crude oil, but has to buy refined products from abroad. The refinery is expected to be fully operational by 2017.

Efforts to increase renewable energy should be strongly encouraged - the benefits to the planet and its population are undeniable. However, renewable energy technology has a way to go (if ever) before it can entirely replace fossil fuel-derived energy, which makes Dangote's investment a safe bet. As renewable energy like solar and wind power is entirely reliant on nature, supplies can never be assured.

While sporadic supplies to houses and small businesses may be part of the price we eventually have to pay for a greener world, larger businesses like supermarkets and cement plants, which could lose millions (or billions) from power outages, will surely have something to say, and a lot of sway, when it comes to relying completely on renewable energy. In addition, power outages to essential services like hospitals are unthinkable when it comes to the health of our loved ones. Ultimately, the argument for relying on renewable energy may well be won by utilitarians' 'greater good' argument, but how would it feel to know that your sick child could have been saved by fossil fuel-derived energy?

Costa Rica: The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Trade (MEIC) has explained the changes that will be implemented in technical regulations to the market cement, including forced single day sales of bulk cement and the elimination of the 45 day limit of validity for bagged cement.

Welmar Ramos, MEIC minister said that the purpose of the changes is to make product imports more flexible. "These changes allow greater competition in the market and inure the efficiency of the cement industry for the benefit of the final consumer," said Ramos. A period of three months will be given for producers to adjust their labels. The new rules state that each manufacturer must put the expiration date on the package, which is obliged to check through technical studies. The policy of forcing the sales of bulk cement on the same day of its production has been eliminated. According to the MEIC, this will enable the import of bulk cement.

Holcim and Cemex have warned of an alleged loss of cement quality when stored beyond 45 days, which were established in earlier rules. The Association of Engineers and Architects (CFIA) has also issued warnings about it. However, the MEIC and supporters of the initiative said that different types of packaging, which is already used in Costa Rica, allows older cement to have greater effect.

According to the MEIC, standards and technical regulations consulted in countries like Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, United States, European Union and Central America, only indicate the date of packaging and storage conditions that must be followed.

Costa Rica: The government of Costa Rica is considering a measure to increase competition in the local cement market, for which accredited ratings agencies would define regulations on the consistency of cement to be sold in the country. This should enable the import of cement from more distant countries, such as China.

The current law prohibits the sale of cement when more than 45 days have passed since the production date, while the material should maintain a resistance of 28MPa. Economy Minister Welmer Ramos said that the existing regulations impede competition, while there are certified laboratories that are capable of demonstrating the quality of cement. However, there are fears that building works could be damaged if an adequate standard is not established.

Costa Rica: Cemex, has announced that its subsidiary, Cemex Latam Holdings, will invest US$35m over the next three years to increase the capacity of its plant in Colorado, Costa Rica. The news comes only a few days after the firm announced the resumption of a capacity upgrade at its Tepeaca plant in Mexico.

The project in Costa Rica will increase cement production capacity at the Colorado plant by about 25% and also includes construction of a new grinding mill. By 2017, the plant will have the capacity to produce 1.1Mt/yr of cement.

"We are confident that infrastructure projects will continue driving demand for building materials over the medium-term," said Alejandro Ramirez, director of Cemex Latam Holdings in Costa Rica.