Santo Domingo, DR.- The Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos Echavarría, explained this Thursday that in the months of July and August 2024, energy generation in Dominican Republic has reached record levels.
He stated that, in August 2024, the peak demand of the National Interconnected Electric System (SENI) was located in 3,690.65 megawatts of power and in the same month last year by 3,422.69 megawatts, reflecting an increase of 7.8 %.
“The maximum demand recorded in July of this year stood at 3,607. 86 megawatts, compared to 3,440.80 megawatts in 2023, for an increase of 4.8 %; that is, 167.06 additional megawatts, he said.
Santos Echavarría said that, in order to address the demand situation, the Dominican Government has supported key reforms aimed at diversifying our generation matrix, as well as significantly increasing the generation available under competitive contracting schemes.
“Looking to the future, we are working on several projects for generating energy from conventional power plants as well as renewable energy, such as the combined cycle power plant of the Energía 2000 group, which is being built in the community of Pepillo Salcedo, Montecristi, which would contribute 414 MW to the SENI network, scheduled to begin testing in the first quarter of 2025 and would be connected to the SENI in the second quarter of 2025,” he said.
He also mentioned the combined cycle power plant CESPM IV, which is being built in San Pedro de Macorís. This would provide 130 MW and is scheduled to begin testing in the first quarter of 2025.
He also highlighted the construction of 27 renewable energy projects, for a total of 1,583 MW; of which, the vast majority is projected to come into service in mid- and late 2025 and during the first quarter of 2026.
Electric demand
“In the last two years, electricity demand in the Dominican Republic has grown vigorously and sustainably, compared to previous periods,” he explained.
The minister indicated that the increase in electricity demand is closely related to the growth of the Dominican economy. This is one of the fastest growing in Latin America, which leads to greater economic activity. Also the high temperatures that the country has registered.
“There are three main variables that can be identified that are driving this exponential growth. These are the expansion and diversification of the economy; the high temperatures of the country almost all year round; and finally, the fact that more than 98% of the population has access to energy 24 hours a day,” he said.
