Peligre Hydroelectric Dam, Haiti

The capital infusion from IDB directly aims to facilitate helpful and useful improvement of the country's Peligre hydro-electric generation plant. Under the deal, the Infrastructure Fund of the IDB would shoulder $550,000 of the investment, while another IDB unit, Special Operations Fund, would take care of the rest or $200,000. The investment is considered very strategic and helpful because the power plant basically needs much improvements and updates for better and more effective functionality.

The Peligre hydropower station, during its glory years or decades ago, solidly provided most of Haiti's electric requirements. Now, the facility only accounts for just 25% of the overall electricity requirement of the country. The percentage lowered because of several factors. Hydropower plants became less viable compared to other renewable energy sources. Second, in the past years, a dry spell occurred and affected the quality and way of the course of almost all industries in the country.

As mentioned above, the plant has been very crucial. As power and energy supplies continue to dwindle and calls for better and more environmentally friendly alternatives continues, Haitians still believe that earnings and money are not the main issue, but the continuous provision of energy. In the end, Peligre would always stand up as a leading power producer.

The investment is expected to help the power plant boost its energy production capacity by improving the overall utility and equipment used. The capital infusion would also fund the rehabilitation of the electric plant so that efficiency would improve and Peligre would regain its past status as the premier and largest electricity firm.

What are the major activities involved? Basically the mission to rehabilitate and improve Peligre is based on an ongoing rehabilitation scheme. The hydropower station strengthens the overall capacity and system of the utility. Electro-mechanic components of the hydro power plant as well as the general electricity-generating machines would all be improved, refurbished or replaced if there would ever be opportunities.

The Peligre is a hydro electric power generation facility that has been completed and put to operations in 1971. The station was the sole producer of the country's electricity requirements. But since then, so many other advancement in technology and electric power generation took place until the current mix for Haiti only accounts for just 25% of overall electric power. In the 1990s, Peligre's power contribution to the country lessened to just a third, and up to now, such setbacks are ever revolving. As mentioned, the power plant now accounts for a quarter of what it used to supply to the Haitian market.  Perhaps, it is high time Haiti's electric industry gain more bearing.

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