Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development

PPAF has posted materials on its website (see Events Section) relating to the Bioenergy Sectoral Meetings held at the National Energy Commission of the Dominican Republic from 2 to 4 December 2009.   This includes the Spanish language report approved by the CNE as well as links to the invitation, photos and videos filmed in the D.R. with Dominican TV Revista 110 and by PPAF.

PPAF ha publicado material en su sitio web (Sección Eventos), relativa a las reuniones sectoriales de Bioenergía, celebrada en la Comisión Nacional de Energía de la República Dominicana 2 a 4 diciembre de 2009. Esto incluye el informe en español, aprobado por el CNE, así como enlaces a la invitación, fotos y vídeos.

The meetings brought out the views of representatives from the public sector, the financial community and companies with pilot field experience, and academics and the private sector — over 55 people in total.  

En las reuniones participaron los representantes del sector público, la comunidad financiera y las empresas con la experiencia sobre el terreno, y los académicos y el sector privado – más de 55 personas en total.

In addition to the National Energy Commission (CNE) as host and leader, the Public-Private Alliance Foundation and ResearchPAYS, Inc. benefited from collaboration and sponsorship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the RJS Group, S.A., and the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP).  The December discussions expanded upon the recommendations reached at the introductory session held in Santo Domingo in early October, where Grupo Vicini, the Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Organization (IREO) and the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD) were sponsors as well.

Además de la Comisión Nacional de Energía (CNE), como anfitrión y líder de la Public-Private Alliance Foundation y ResearchPAYS, Inc. beneficiado de la colaboración y el patrocinio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, el Grupo de RJS, SA, y la United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP). Los debates de diciembre ampliaron las recomendaciones formuladas en la sesión preliminar celebrada en Santo Domingo a principios de octubre, donde el Grupo Vicini, la Organización Intergubernamental de Energías Renovables (IREO) y el Centro de Exportación e Inversión de la República Dominicana (CEI-RD) fueron los patrocinadores también.

Renewable Energy – Dr. Virgilio Malagon, CNE Adviser

Dr. Virgilio Malagon, Adviser to the President of the National Energy Commission of the Dominican Republic (Comision Nacional de Energia), discusses (en espanol) the recent October and December conferences on renewable energy.  Dr. David Stillman, PPAF Executive Director, also provides comments (in English).  The interviewer is Enriquillo Rivas, host of Sabado Agropecuario, Revista 110 TV.   The interview took place on 5 December 2009.

 Bioenergy, RJS Group and Ethanol in the D.R.

Lic. Rafael Fernandez, Chairman/CEO, RJS Group Republica Dominicana, S.A., describes his company’s investment and pilot project for ethanol production.  The interviewer is Manuel Gonzalez Tejera, co-host, Sabado Agropecuario, Revista 110 TV.  The interview took place on 21 November 2009.

You can watch these and other videos on PPAF’s YouTube Channel, and subscribe to receive updates automatically.

To support the work of the Public-Private Alliance Foundation, go to the Donate page on the PPAF website.

PPAF has posted photos from the Bioenergy Sectoral Meetings  held at the National Energy Commission of the Dominican Republic from 2 to 4 December 2009.    Many who participated in the Bioenergy International Debate, held from 7 to 9 October 2009, also joined in the sectoral meetings.    (See earlier blog postings for information.)

The meetings brought out the views of representatives from the public sector, the financial community and companies with pilot field experience, and academics and the private sector — over 55 people in total. 

In addition to the role of the National Energy Commission (CNE) as host and leader, the Public-Private Alliance Foundation and ResearchPAYS, Inc. benefited from collaboration and sponsorship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the RJS Group, S.A., and the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP).  The December discussions expanded upon the recommendations reached at the introductory session held in Santo Domingo in early October, where Grupo Vicini, the Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Organization (IREO) and the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD) were sponsors as well.

After the sectoral meetings an oral presentation was made to the President of the CNE, Lic. Enrique Ramirez, and his senior staff.  This reviewed and explained the ideas developed in previous days for establishment of a Task Force within Government, and a multi-stakeholder Consortium at national and international levels to facilitate and support innovative pilot projects.  The focus will be to assist CNE in its mandate to encourage the development of renewable energy through the implementation of Dominican Law 57-07.

Thanks to CNE’s photographer for providing the photos.

Ambassador Federico Cuello, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations; Dr. David Stillman, Executive Director of the Public-Private Alliance Foundation (PPAF); Tom Kadala, President of ResearchPAYS, Inc. and Rafael Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of RJS Group, will appear on Sabado Agropecuario (The Saturday Agricultural Journal), on Saturday, November 21 at 7:30 a.m.. Manuel González Tejera is the interviewer. 

The group will review plans for the upcoming Fourth Bioenergy International Debate, scheduled for December 3-4 in Santo Domingo and the current work of RJS group in the Dominican Republic.  This December meetings will be hosted by the National Energy Commission, the Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources, and organized by PPAF and ResearchPAYS.   The report of the Third Bioenergy International Debate is available on the PPAF website at http://www.ppafoundation.org/events.html

They will also talk about the 14^th Regional Forum on Biofuels and Other Renewable Energies, which has taken place in Santo Domingo from 18 – 20 November.

RJS Group is a sponsor of the December event.  The Group is developing fuel ethanol for the local Dominican market and for export to the U.S. and the European Union through production of sweet sorghum.  Their new project will also produce bioelectricity for the local market using bagasse and straw yield of sorghum.  According to RJS Group, their project is designed to be strategically located in the Northwest Region of the Dominican Republic so as to exploit the comparative and competitive advantages of the area for agro-industrial activities and, with that, promote regional development with economic sustainability, environmental and social benefits.  For more information see: http://www.rjsgroupdr.com

Sabado Agropecuario is a program of Revista 101 and is broadcast on local television channels, a Dominican Channel in the Northwest Coast of the United States and Canada and through the airwaves of 107.7 FM.

The report for the Third Bioenergy International Debate, which took place from 7 – 9 October in the Dominican Republic,  is now available on the PPAF website in pdf format:   English version.  Espanol.

David Stillman and Tom Kadala will join senior Dominican colleagues during the week of November 16-21 to plan the Fourth Bioenergy International Debate.   The purpose of the Fourth Bioenergy International Debate is to advance the results of the meeting held in Santo Domingo on October 7-9.   The focus will be policy recommendations that emerged from the October meeting, in the areas of finance and investment, private sector, academic organizations and inventors, and government.   All agree that bioenergy can be an important component of efforts for sustainable development.   Invitations will be sent soon by the National Energy Commission. 

While in Santo Domingo, Stillman and Kadala will also attend the XIV Regional Forum: Biofuels and Other Renewable Energies, from 18 – 20 November, hosted by the National Energy Commission, the Secretary of State for the Environment and Natural Resources, and the Energy and Environment Partnership with Central America (EEP), part of the Central American Integration System (SICA).  The meeting focuses on sustainable development in the region, and on various bioenergy case studies and technologies.  It is supported by the governments of Finland and Austria.  Member states include Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.  The Dominican Republic is an associate member.

Opening remarks at the October 7-9 Bioenergy International Debate are now posted on PPAF’s YouTube channel. 

 Lic. Enrique Ramirez, President of the National Energy Commission, and Ambassador Federico Cuello, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations spoke at the opening of the session. (These videos in Spanish) .   Other conference videos include David Stillman’s opening remarks (in English), an appearance by Ambassador Federico Cuello, Tom Kadala (President, ResearchPAYS, Inc.) and David Stillman on the Dominican TV program Sabado Agropecuario.   Also available is the excellent 9-minute video on the Bioenergy International Debate (English and Spanish) produced by Frank Minaya y Willmore and Dr. Dana F. Minaya of Samana College Research Center.

Bioenergy International Debate in the D.R. – Dr. Enrique Ramirez

Click on the link above for video.  Dr. Enrique Ramirez, President of the National Energy Commission, gave  opening remarks at the Third International Debate on Bioenergy – Risk Management and Business Model Innovation held in Santo Domingo, D.R.  October 7-9, 2009.  His remarks focused on the Dominican Republic and short- and long-term goals for access to renewable energy.   The event was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Energy Commission (CNE).  Leaders from the government, business, financial, non-profit and academic sectors as well as from the United Nations participated.  It was organized by PPAF and ResearchPAYS, Inc.

Following the October 7-9 Bioenergy International Debate, Ambassador Federico Cuello, Dr. David Stillman and Mr. Tom Kadala appeared on the Sabado Agropecuario television show in Santo Domingo to discuss outcomes, achievements and plans for the future.   This segment features Ambassador Cuello.  Click here to view:    Bioenergy International Debate on Sabado Agropecuario

From October 7 through 9 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the Public-Private Alliance Foundation (PPAF) and ResearchPAYS, Inc., organized the Third International Debate on Bioenergy – Risk Management and Business Model Innovation.  Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Energy Commission (CNE), the event brought together leaders from the government, business, financial, non-profit and academic sectors as well as from the United Nations.  The program included a reception, a debate, case study presentations and a field trip.   Earlier events in the series were held at the United Nations in New York in May and June 2009.

Some 65 mostly Dominican participants engaged in discussions aimed to achieve investment and commercial opportunities resulting from consultations among interested parties.   The meeting’s report is expected to serve as a contribution of the Government of the Dominican Republic to the UN General Assembly and the December 2009 Climate Conference in Copenhagen.

Mr. Enrique Ramirez, CNE President, opened the session.  He emphasized that bioenergy is vital to the future of the Dominican Republic and is a priority for President Fernandez.  He said that events such as this were important in bringing together stakeholders to work together to develop solutions to the energy issues facing the country. 

Ambassador Federico Cuello, Permanent Representative of the D.R. to the United Nations, remarked that the country had great opportunities and capabilities and could play a constructive role in promoting biofuels internationally. 

Dr. David Stilman, Executive Director of PPAF, addressed the relation of development of bioenergy to achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals and provided background  on international standards for sustainable development and their relation to bioenergy.

Mr. Tom Kadala, President of ResearchPAYS, Inc., facilitated the discussions in a lively and interactive maner, bringing out differing perspectives and points of agreement regarding the current situation and potential steps for the future.

Congressman Pelegrin Castillo, the father of the D.R.’s renewable energy law (Law 57-07), was an active participant.   Others included representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, Banco de Brasil,  Fondacao Getulio Vargas, AES Dominicana and a number of  Dominican and international companies.

Ambassador Joao Solano Carneiro de Cunha, Brazilian Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, highlighted the experience his country in biofuels and said that creating a domestic demand for ethanol was extremely important.

Case studies presenters included Jean-Claude Alten, President of Fenix Bioenergy, LLC, who spoke on plans for a project to use Arundo Donax (giant cane) as pellets to replace coal for electricity production.   Rafael J. Zapata, President of RJ Zapata & Associates, spoke on plans for converting municipal waste of Santo Domingo to energy.  Tom Kadala described the potential for production of zero carbon footprint ammonia.  The presentations generated much interest and encouragement.

In addition to investment prospects, participants embraced the idea that the Dominican Republic could be a viable testing ground for new ideas, new technologies, and global innovation in the area of renewable energies. 

Sponsors of the event included the UN Office for Partnerships, Grupo Vicini, the Center for Export and Investment of the D.R., and the Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Organization (IREO) in addition to the hosts and organizers.  Ing. Diogenes Reyna, Director of International Relations and Events, coordinated the program on behalf of the CNE.

Following the conference, Ambassador Cuello, Dr. Stillman and Mr. Kadala appeared on the Sabado Agropecuario television show to discuss outcomes, achievements and plans for the future.

For more information, see: www.ppafoundation.org (events page).  See also videos from the program:   9 minute overview: Bioenergy Debate in the D.R. and Bioenergy Debate in the D.R. – Opening Remarks by David Stillman.

Also see PPAF’s Flickr photos from the event:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/ppaf